SOUTHERN MARYLAND — May 2026 has been declared Maryland Native Plant Month by Governor Wes Moore. This designation celebrates the essential role that native plants play in supporting healthy ecosystems, resilient landscapes and vibrant local biodiversity.
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote native plants in our region, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay reached out to Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties to request county proclamations to support Governor Moore’s state proclamation. We are wildly appreciative that each of the counties responded favorably and have signed proclamations to recognize May 2026 as Native Plant Month.
To recognize May as Native Plant Month across our region, we are encouraging residents to observe the month by learning more about the many benefits of native plants; attending local events focused on native plants; supporting our local nurseries; planting native trees, shrubs and flowers in our yards and communities; and removing non-native invasive plants.
What are native plants and why are they important?
A healthy planet starts with native plants. Native plants are indigenous species that have evolved alongside native wildlife and occur naturally in a particular geographic region, ecosystem and habitat. They are essential for healthy, diverse and sustainable ecosystems and are critical for cleaning air, filtering water and stabilizing soils.
Native plants are well-adapted to specific soils, temperatures, precipitation and other environmental conditions, making them the best option for conserving and protecting our environment, and adapting to its changes. They provide food (including nectar, pollen, seeds and foliage) for native birds, caterpillars, butterflies, bees and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot.
The Southern Maryland region is home to hundreds of native plant species, which include large shade trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, grasses and wildflowers. However, habitat loss and degradation, extreme weather events and invasive species have contributed to the decline of native plants.
Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay believes it is important to encourage public awareness about the benefits of native plants to pollinators and other wildlife, to the economy, and to the health and sustainability of local fragile ecosystems. We recognize that native plants are essential components of our rich natural heritage and resilient ecosystems.
Local Events Celebrating Native Plant Month in Southern Maryland
Whether you are new to native plants or an expert, we hope you will find something in our region to celebrate Native Plant Month. Some featured events hosted or promoted by Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay throughout the region include:
• May 1: First Friday at Leonardtown Parkette Pollinator Patch
• May 1 and 2: Providence’s Spring Plant and Pottery Sale, Arnold, MD
• May 5: Right Plant Right Place (Presentation), Deale, MD
• May 9: Native Plant and Seed Swap and Share, Leonardtown Library
• May 16: Tots in the Front Yard: Colors in the Front Yard, Leonardtown Library
• May 16: Mother’s Day Plant Sale, Forrest Career and Technology Center, Leonardtown
• May 26: May Garden Chat – Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, Virtual
• May 30: NatureFest – College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus
Where to Get Native Plants
Plant shares and sales happen regularly throughout the spring season, and again in the fall. Most shares are very welcoming to new gardeners and there is usually no expectation that you bring plants to share. Sales often include smaller growers, and they are a great resource for learning about native plants.
• Check out this running list of native plant shares and sales by the Maryland Native Plant Society.
• Check out this list of shares and sales by Amanda Wray, president of Wild Ones Greater Baltimore.
• If you are a member of the Maryland Area Gardening for the Environmentally Conscious (MAGEC) group on Facebook, check out their comprehensive list of Maryland plant shares and sales in the comments of their annual thread.
Support Local Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Libraries
Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay is proud to support and recommend our local native plant nurseries and seed libraries. For more information on our partnerships with each of these local suppliers of plants and/or seeds, visit this link.
• Bona Terra
• Butterfly Alley
• Chesapeake Natives
• ECOBAY Landscape | Design
• Goodman LLC
• College of Southern Maryland Seedbox
• St. Mary’s County S.E.E.D.S. Libraries
To view the state and county proclamations and for more information on local events, local nurseries and local seed libraries, please visit the Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay news blog, May 2026 is Native Plant Month in Southern Maryland: https://chesapeakebay.wildones.org/may-2026-is-native-plant-month-in-southern-maryland/
Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, a local chapter of Wild Ones Natural Landscapers, Ltd., is a nonprofit, environmental education and advocacy organization serving Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s and southern Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. We promote native landscapes through education, advocacy and collaborative action to help individuals and communities make environmentally beneficial choices for their local ecosystems. Our vision: Native plants and natural landscapes thriving in every community.