Make Maryland Plants Part of Your Landscape This Spring

More Than 300 Farms Produce Ornamentals Across the State

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture encourages consumers to support local Maryland nurseries when landscaping their properties this spring. The 2017 Census of Agriculture, which was released on April 11 of this year, reported Maryland’s nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod industry was the third largest agricultural commodity in the state.

“There are a lot of local options for Marylanders to consider when planting perennials and annuals around their yards this season,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “Maryland has many local greenhouses and nurseries. From hardware stores to farmers markets, many retailers stock Maryland-grown plants.”

The largest segment of the state’s nursery industry is wholesale. Markets for Maryland-grown plants stretch throughout the entire Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast and even into Canada. The 2012 Maryland Horticulture Survey for the industry shows sales totaling nearly $357 million in woody plants, $178 million in annuals, and more than $4 million in aquatic plants.

To find a nursery near you, visit Maryland’s Best website. The Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association also provides lists of local vendors. For landscaping and gardening ideas, check out the University of Maryland’s Home and Garden Information Center.

For more information, please contact Mark Powell at mark.powell@maryland.gov or (410) 841-5775.

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