Welcome to Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Chapter!
We promote environmentally friendly, sound landscaping to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities across Southern Maryland.
Wild Ones chapters are a space where like-minded people gather to support each other in learning about landscaping with native plants and to share with others in their communities and networks about why it’s important to reintroduce native plants into public and private gardens and how to go about doing it. Chapters are where change happens. We are excited to offer local residents the opportunity to expand their impact in the natural landscaping movement and help promote native plants!
SAVE THE DATES for our Upcoming Chapter Events
Please join us for one or more of our upcoming events. Most events are free and open to the public, but please note that some require registration. Please be sure to invite friends and family! Visit our Events page, our chapter Google calendar, or our Facebook Events page for registration and/or RSVP information.
Recent Posts/News
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- October 2026 WOCB Chapter Pulse – Just Say No to Fall Cleanup
Over time, our gardens and our garden practices change, and that’s ok. And quite frankly, it’s to be expected. I often say “when we know better, we do better.” One of the many things I’ve learned over the years – native gardens are not “no maintenance”, but they can be lower maintenance, especially this time… Read more: October 2026 WOCB Chapter Pulse – Just Say No to Fall Cleanup - Monarchs, Milkweed, Migration, and More
With the arrival of the fall equinox on September 22, environmental triggers mean the days are drawing near for our migratory garden visitors to take flight and head south. While I will dearly miss the hummingbirds, dragonflies, and monarchs when they leave later this fall, I will continue to enjoy them for a few more… Read more: Monarchs, Milkweed, Migration, and More - Fall is the best time for planting! Or is it? Part 2
In our last blog, we discussed when to plant container-grown plants (seedlings, plugs, etc.). In this second in a two-part series, we’ll discuss when to plant seeds. For many native plant enthusiasts, nothing beats the thrill that comes from planting a native seed and watching it germinate and thrive into a plant that provides ecosystem… Read more: Fall is the best time for planting! Or is it? Part 2 - Fall is the best time for planting! Or is it?
In our last newsletter, we suggested that fall is the best time for planting. Although this is a generally accepted concept in the horticulture trade, digging a bit deeper into resources for planting seeds and container-grown plants opened my eyes to the nuances of when is the best time to plant. In this first of… Read more: Fall is the best time for planting! Or is it?
A Few of My Favorite Native Things
Native bees buzzing and fireflies lighting
Monarches eclosing and new species sightings
Hummingbirds hover on fast-moving wings
These are a few of my favorite things
Red oaks and white oaks in decades old glory
Dogwoods and redbuds in the understory
Paw paw, persimmon, sassafras seedlings
These are a few of my favorite things
Beechdrops on beech roots and milkweed fluff flowing
Seed heads turn brown as the plants finish growing
Winter approaches and then then comes the spring
When I’ll enjoy more of my native things
When the frost bites
When the wind stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my native gard’ning
And then I don't feel so bad
by Marlene Smith, President Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay