Pollinators and Native Plants

University of Maryland Master Gardener Polinators

University of Maryland Master Gardener Native Plants

Our Mission

The Pollinator & Native Landscapes Committee programs educate and advise the public on:

Why native species are crucial to the health of our natural ecosystems and the future of our world;
Why invasive species are harmful to the environment, the economy and human health;
How to identify native plants and invasive plants in Maryland;
How to focus primarily on native plants and control invasives in the landscape;
How to identify native and non-native insect species;
How to attract beneficial insects, other animals and microorganisms; and
How to include IPM (Integrated Pest Management) techniques in your garden and landscape routines.

ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE

The many textures, colors, and habits of native plants can be combined in attractive designs. Choose a natural-looking or more formal style.

PRESERVE MARYLAND’S BIODIVERSITY

Positively impact natural areas near your home. Locally native gardens benefit pollinators and reduce risk to wild plant populations.

SUPPORT BIRDS AND POLLINATORS

Many bees provision their nests with pollen from native plants, and butterflies and moths eat native species at the larval stage. Birds, in turn, feed an abundance of these caterpillars to their young. Going native supports this whole food web.

IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Conventional gardens often employ fertilizers, pesticides, supplemental water, and fossil fuel using machinery – resulting in poor soil health, more erosion, and polluted stormwater runoff.

PROVIDE FOOD

Plant a succession of native blooms of different shapes, sizes and colors from spring to fall
Choose a variety of plants that support caterpillars.
Plant densely, using native groundcovers as “green mulch” and leaving some bare soil for the 70 percent of native bee species that nest in the ground.
Choose native species over cultivars.
Plant in drifts of 3+ to be noticed by pollinators.

PROVIDE WATER SOURCES including mud-puddling areas for butterflies. (Refresh water often to deter mosquitoes.)

PROVIDE SHELTER and nesting sites for bees, caterpillars and others by leaving fallen leaves where possible and incorporating dead wood (stalks, logs, stumps) into the garden.

SAFEGUARD POLLINATOR HABITAT

Action 1: Control Invasive Plants
Action 2: Avoid Pesticides

If you have a question or would like to ask for help with your garden, please contact us at:

MDPollinator@gmail.com

Wildlife habitat gardens are a haven for local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Tell us how your yard or garden provides habitat and the National Wildlife Federation will recognize it as a Certified Wildlife Habitat®.

“National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Habitat Registration”

Bee City USA is Howard County’s program of choice for their Pollinator Habitat activities. [click on “About Pollinators”]. Bee City USA is an initiative under the Xerces Society - Pollinator Conservation Program
Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, by Douglas W. Tallamy, c. 2009 (updated and expanded), Timber Press, Portland OR; 360 pp.,
Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Doug Tallamy
Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Maryland Department of Natural Resources: https://dnr.maryland.gov/criticalarea/Documents/chesapeakenatives.pdf
Better Backyard–A Citizen’s Resource Guide to Beneficial Landscaping and Habitat Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Chesapeake Bay Program:
Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration and Landscaping, VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage: (includes invasive species).
Conservation Landscaping Guidelines-The Eight Essential Elements, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council
Mistaken Identity–Invasive Plants and Their Native Look-Alikes
Garden for Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation
Audubon Guide to a Healthy Yard and Beyond
Wild Ones Handbook–Green Landscaping

Pollinator Basics

Resources

Other Languages

Pollinators and Native Plants

Our Mission

Why Native Plants?

How You Can Help Pollinators

Virtual Consultations and Questions

Certify Your Habitat to Help Wildlife!

Wildlife habitat gardens are a haven for local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Tell us how your yard or garden provides habitat and the National Wildlife Federation will recognize it as a Certified Wildlife Habitat®.

“National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Habitat Registration”

Educational Resources

Additional Resources