Maryland Native Plants Program

Welcome to the Maryland Native Plants Program (MNPP) website!

Our mission is to promote the sale and use of plants native to Maryland, and to increase awareness about the importance and benefits of native plants. The MNPP is a partnership between the University of Maryland Extension, Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Maryland Native Plant Society. The University's Extension program supports the nursery industry and end-users by providing unbiased and research-based information about how to select, propagate, and use native plants in developed and natural landscapes.

NEW Maryland Native Plant Guide Piedmont Region!

This 180-page Downloadable PDF (28.1 MB) includes:

educational articles to support gardening success
photos and descriptions of over 300 featured plants
plant lists for specific site conditions
aquatic plant recommendations suitable for ponds
advice on managing invasive species
planting approaches in the face of climate change
an index of plants native to the Maryland Piedmont
planting strategies from nature writer Nancy Lawson
tips for dealing with deer (includes deer-resistant plants)

Hard copies will be available for purchase online at the Maryland Native Plant Society's online store, select Master Gardener events, and participating retailers starting November 2025. Guides for the Coastal Plain and Mountain regions are planned for summer 2026 and summer 2027, respectively. We hope this guide will inform, inspire, and move you to go native!

MD Native Plant Guide Piedmont Region Small

Commercial Native Plant List
Commercial Native Plant List
Comprehensive plant list with over 650 species native to Maryland's three major ecoregions. Featured plants are commercially availalbe and well-suited for developed landscapes and natural areas alike.
Find Certified Retailers
Find Certified Retailers
Almost 30 nurseries are participating in the MDA's new Best Native Plants Certification program. If you're looking to buy native plants, check out the certified nurseries list and interactive Google map.

Explore Topics:

For Growers & Retailers
For Growers & Retailers
Resources for wholesalers, growers, & retailers
For Home Gardeners
For Home Gardeners
Design strategies, plant palettes, and how to do site assessments
For Landscape Professionals
For Landscape Professionals
Nature-based solutions, site prep and long-term maintenance