Page 16 - MNLGA Free State Winter 2025

GOING NATIVE A LISA KUDER

Market Momentum:

Native Plants and the Future

of Maryland Landscaping

lanting natives, once a fringe interest, is often center HRI’s. Of the 34 states that they serve, MD (12.5%), PA
stage at major trade shows and conferences. (10.2%), VA (10%), and NY (9.4%) are their largest markets
PEducation learning tracks at events such as (A. McClean & C. Vazquez, personal communication,
Cultivate and the Perennial Plant Association National October 31, 2025). The sustained interest and focus on
Symposium, are regionally appropriate
increasingly native plant plant materials is a
focused, a paradigm strong indicator that
shift driven by native plants are more
participant feedback. than a passing trend.
Sales numbers also The push for native
reflect this shift. The plants isn’t coming
northeast has become from just one place.
the nation’s largest It’s driven by multiple
hub for native plant interacting factors,
sales [1]. In 2018, native including stormwater
plants accounted for and water-quality
23% of the region’s total requirements,
plant sales according community interest in
to the Horticultural restoring habitat and
Research Institute supporting wildlife, and
(HRI), with Maryland’s the increasing need to
figures at 32.3%, just design landscapes that
behind Pennsylvania’s can handle a changing
1
35.3%. The HRI’s 2023 climate. Explore what’s
survey results are driving the shift below,
expected soon and and learn about new
will likely reflect the resources to help
reported uptick in native growers, nurseries,
gardening during the and landscape
2
COVID-19 pandemic . professionals capture
Sales figures from Izel,
A diverse planting of mostly native vegetation at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD. Green this market.
an online native plant infrastructure is a major component of their stormwater management.
retailer, align well with Photo: Lisa Kuder

16 Winter 2025 • Free State News