Maine Native Plants

Gardeners in Maine have a lot to take into consideration when picking the perfect plants for their gardens. Maine is in USDA hardiness zone 3 A to 6 A, but cities in the same zone as the country side will have slightly warmer temperatures. The mountains will be colder than the adjacent flat lands, all of which are problems faced in other parts of the country. Gardeners in Maine near the shore also have to take into consideration how well their plants stand up to the salty air. Native plants that are hardy throughout the state make good choices. They have been living in Maine long before the current residents have.

Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis (L.) Medik) is known in some places as shadblow service berry and Juneberry. The plant grows as a small tree or large shrub that grows up to 20 feet tall and is a member of the rose family. The plant is found growing in wooded areas from Maine south to Georgia and as far west as central New York. The flowers are white and bloom in April and May and give way to red or purple fruits. The plant is adaptable to different levels of sunlight and likes a moist, well-drained soil.

Gray birch (Betula populifolia) is found growing in wet to dry, The tree woods, along the shores of lakes and in old fields from the Maritime Provinces of Canada south to New Jersey and Virginia and as far west as northeastern Illinois. The tree grows from 35 to 50 feet tall with dark-green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. Gray birch is one of the most adaptable trees. Plant in full sun, partial shade or full shade and a soil that is moist, dry or wet. The tree attracts birds, small animals and butterflies and provides a home for the lava of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is one of the plants that is salt tolerant. The evergreen shrub grows from 6 to 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide with thick, paddle-shaped leaves yellow green in the spring, dark-green in summer and red-purple in the fall. Small, bell-shaped, pink or white flowers grow in loose clusters from March through June and give way to bright-red berries. Kinnikinnick is found in the rocky open woods, dry sandy hills and mountains from Labrador south through most of the United States. Birds and small wildlife will come by for the seeds and hummingbirds and butterflies for the nectar.

Sources:

University of Texas
Plant Native
Main Hardiness Zones