If you’re looking to add some beautiful native plants to your home garden, Maine has a wealth of them to choose from! Maine’s native plant list is full of flowers, shrubs, and trees that are adapted to the region’s climate and soil, so they require less maintenance and provide many benefits to the environment.
Why is it Important to Include Maine Native Plants in my Landscaping?
Maine native plants are a vital part of the state’s ecosystem. They’re highly sought after by your local pollinators, help control erosion, and improve water quality.
See the list below for the top 5 most beautiful Maine native plants to include in your home garden:
5 Beautiful Maine Native Plants to Add to Your Landscaping
Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
This native Maine flower blooms May through June and features vibrant red, pink, and yellow flowers. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and will absolutely make a statement in your garden.
They can grow up to 2-3 feet tall with a spread of about 24 inches. In the right conditions, these flowers can even thrive in a container garden. Red Columbines are a favorite among hummingbirds, so if you’re looking to attract these lovely creatures to your garden, this is the plant for you!
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
The Bleeding Heart is a perfect addition to any partially or fully shaded garden. It blooms in the late spring to early summer and has delicate, heart-shaped pink flowers that dangle from its arching stems.
They can grow to be quite impressive, reaching up to 36″ inches tall and wide. You can rely on them to reappear every summer without fail, making them a great addition to any perennial garden.
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
This low-growing evergreen is perfect for groundcover in any full sun to light shade garden. It has small, glossy green leaves that turn a beautiful burgundy in the fall.
Bearberrys bloom from April through June with small, pink-white flowers that turn into red berries by the end of summer. They’ll continue to spread gradually year over year, so it’s best to plant them about 2 feet apart, allowing them room to grow.
Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis)
This stunning perennial does wonders for the local ecosystem. It’s an excellent plant for attracting pollinators and is especially popular among the native bee population. It’s a showy plant with vibrant blue flowers that can grow up to 4 feet tall and spread nearly 3 feet wide, making it a great addition to large gardens and landscaping projects.
Wild blue indigos will bloom from April through June, thrive in full sun, and are fairly drought tolerant once established after their first year. They’re reliable plants that come back year after year with very little maintenance required.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
This fragrant native perennial is a must-have for any butterfly garden. It blooms from May through August with bright orange and yellow flowers that are irresistible to butterflies, especially Monarchs.
Butterfly weed can grow to be up to 2-3 feet tall and is extremely low-maintenance for the average home gardener. They’re tough plants that can withstand drought and don’t even require watering once established. Plant them in full sun and enjoy watching the butterflies flutter about!
Enjoy Your Native Garden
These 5 Maine native plants will surely add beauty and interest to your landscape while supporting your local ecosystem. For more information on native Maine plants, contact our team at Davis Landscape Company for a consultation. We would love to help you create a stunning, low-maintenance landscape for your home or business! Contact us today.