The Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Yards

Maryland’s climate (we sit in USDA hardiness zone 7a to 7b), our clay-heavy soil, and very hungry deer make some plants a constant fight. As a local landscaping company, here are the plants we actually recommend for Annapolis-area yards: ones that look great with minimal fuss.

Tough, low-maintenance shrubs

A few shrubs handle our conditions with almost no babying. Inkberry holly is a native evergreen that’s deer-tolerant and takes our clay soil. Oakleaf hydrangea is another native, with big seasonal interest, and it tolerates part shade. Boxwood gives you classic year-round structure (choose blight-resistant varieties). And Virginia sweetspire, also called itea, is a native that actually thrives in the wet spots most plants hate.

Perennials that come back every year

For color that returns on its own, lean on coneflower (Echinacea) and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia, which is Maryland’s state flower). Both are pollinator magnets. Russian sage and catmint are drought-tolerant and deer usually skip them. And daylilies are nearly indestructible color for tough spots.

Deer-resistant picks (a real problem here)

Deer pressure is heavy across Annapolis, Arnold, and Severna Park. Lean on boxwood, Russian sage, catmint, ornamental grasses, daffodils, and ferns. Skip hostas and tulips unless you enjoy feeding the local deer.

A few local planting tips

Three things make the biggest difference in our area. First, amend the clay: our soil drains poorly, so work in compost at planting time. Second, mulch two to three inches to hold moisture and cut down on weeding, keeping it off the stems. Third, plant in fall or spring so roots establish before summer heat sets in.

Want a landscape that looks good and stays easy?

We design and install low-maintenance, climate-right landscapes across Annapolis, Arnold, Severna Park, Edgewater, and Pasadena, and we maintain them too. Call (410) 271-6969 or get in touch for a free consultation.