Landscaping Ideas in Maryland

Maryland's diverse geography spans from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains, creating varied gardening conditions. The humid subtropical climate features hot summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall throughout the year.

Maryland native garden landscape

Maryland Climate Snapshot

Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden

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Hardiness Zones

6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

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Annual Rainfall

40-50 inches annually

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Frost Window

April-November

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Water Notes

Moderate rainfall; well-distributed

Popular Landscaping Styles

Discover design styles perfectly suited to Maryland's unique climate and landscape

Chesapeake Bay Garden landscaping style
🌊Chesapeake Bay Garden

Coastal and estuarine plants

Key Features:

  • •Salt-tolerant plants
  • •Waterfront design
  • •Maritime plants
  • •Bay-friendly
Piedmont Landscape landscaping style
šŸ”ļøPiedmont Landscape

Rolling hills and traditional style

Key Features:

  • •Mixed woodlands
  • •Perennial gardens
  • •Formal elements
  • •Four-season interest
Mountain Garden landscaping style
🌲Mountain Garden

Western Maryland highlands

Key Features:

  • •Conifers
  • •Rock gardens
  • •Cold-hardy plants
  • •Naturalistic
Urban Baltimore landscaping style
šŸ™ļøUrban Baltimore

City and rowhouse gardens

Key Features:

  • •Small spaces
  • •Container gardening
  • •Shade plants
  • •Historic plants

Recommended Plant Palettes

Native and adapted plants that thrive in Maryland's climate

🌺Maryland Natives
Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

State flower; yellow and black

White Oak

White Oak

Quercus alba

State tree; deciduous hardwood

Eastern Redbud

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Early spring flowers

Maryland Golden Aster

Maryland Golden Aster

Chrysopsis mariana

Native wildflower

🌊Coastal Plants
Bayberry

Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Salt-tolerant shrub

Beach Plum

Beach Plum

Prunus maritima

Coastal fruit shrub

Rosa Rugosa

Rosa Rugosa

Rosa rugosa

Salt-tolerant rose

Seaside Goldenrod

Seaside Goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens

Coastal wildflower

🌲Woodland Plants
Eastern Hemlock

Eastern Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

Native evergreen

Trout Lily

Trout Lily

Erythronium americanum

Spring ephemeral

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Arisaema triphyllum

Woodland spring flower

Christmas Fern

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Evergreen fern

Seasonal Garden Checklist

Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Maryland garden

1

Plant spring bulbs

October-November
2

Protect tender plants

November-December
3

Start seeds indoors

February-March
4

Plant cool-season crops

March-April
5

Plant trees and shrubs

March-April
6

Plant warm-season vegetables

April-May

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Maryland

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