New Castle County encourages native plantings through the UDC landscape manual. DNREC promotes Delaware native species. No ordinance requires native plants for single-family homes, but commercial developments must meet native species percentages.
New Castle County UDC Article 5 landscape standards and the county's Landscape Manual recommend native Delaware species such as black-eyed Susan, eastern redbud, and Virginia sweetspire for new development landscaping. Commercial and multifamily projects must meet minimum native or non-invasive species percentages (typically 50%) in required landscape buffers. Single-family homes face no native-plant mandate. Delaware's Plants Invasive to State list identifies species like Callery pear, bamboo, and English ivy that may be prohibited in new plantings. The Delaware Native Plant Society and Delaware Center for Horticulture offer plant lists. Homeowners may convert lawns to native meadows or pollinator gardens, but unincorporated county landscapes must still meet UDC minimum maintenance (grass height and weed control).
Commercial non-native non-compliance at landscape inspection: plan revision required before CO issuance. Invasive species violations on new commercial plantings: replacement required. HOA bans on native meadows: may conflict with Delaware norms but no specific state preemption as with solar.
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Wilmington, DE
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Wilmington, DE
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See how Wilmington's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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