Gaithersburg, MD Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Montgomery County encourages native plant landscaping through multiple interconnected programs, grant opportunities, and regulatory protections that make Gaithersburg one of the more supportive jurisdictions in the region for homeowners wanting to transition from traditional turf lawns to native plant landscapes. The RainScapes Rebate Program is the primary financial incentive, providing up to $2,500 per residential property for conservation landscaping projects. Qualifying projects must use plants from the county's approved native plant list, which is based on species native to the Piedmont Plateau physiographic province of Maryland. Popular choices include black-eyed Susan (Rudbera hirta), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), and native oaks, maples, and dogwoods for canopy trees. The RainScapes program provides free site consultations where a county-trained master gardener visits the property, assesses soil conditions, drainage patterns, and sun exposure, and recommends appropriate native species and garden designs. The program also maintains a list of approved landscape contractors experienced in native plant installation. Maryland law provides important legal protections for native plant enthusiasts. Environment Article 9-1701 (the Pollinator Habitat Act) establishes that homeowners associations may not prohibit a property owner from installing native plant gardens or pollinator habitat areas on their lot. While HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic standards (such as requiring a defined garden border, maintaining paths, or keeping certain areas mowed), they cannot require the removal of a native plant garden solely because it does not conform to a traditional turf-lawn aesthetic. This protection is particularly relevant in Gaithersburg, where many neighborhoods are governed by active HOAs with detailed architectural guidelines. The Montgomery County Pesticide Law (Bill 52-14, effective January 2018) provides another layer of support for native plant ecosystems by prohibiting the use of cosmetic pesticides on lawns, playgrounds, and childcare facilities. By reducing the application of synthetic herbicides and insecticides on residential lawns, the law protects pollinators, soil organisms, and beneficial insects that native plant gardens are designed to support. The county encourages residents to manage their landscapes using integrated pest management (IPM) principles and organic alternatives. The county Department of Environmental Protection maintains the Native Plant Guide with species organized by light requirements, soil moisture preferences, and wildlife value. Several Gaithersburg city parks and county parks within the Gaithersburg area feature native plant demonstration gardens that residents can visit for inspiration and education. The annual county native plant sale, typically held in October, offers locally grown native plants at reduced prices. Invasive plant removal is actively encouraged alongside native plant installation. Common invasive species in the Gaithersburg area that outcompete native plants include English ivy (Hedera helix), porcelain berry (Ampelopsis brevipedunculata), Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana), Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), and mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliata).