This Mother’s Day, the Chesapeake Bay Program is asking people to participate in its Plant More Plants campaign by giving mom something a little different.

Instead of waiting in a long line to buy carnations or roses for mom, a colorful perennial to add to her garden can make for a gift that will last.

“Instead of buying her something that’s going to be gone in a week, buy her something that’s going to be there and also has a positive impact on water quality,” said Gary Waugh, Plant More Plants campaign coordinator and public relations manager for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Plant More Plants aims to instruct the public to take on practices to reduce harmful storm water runoff effects that deplete the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

“It’s really a campaign trying to let people know there are things people can do around the house that can have effect with water quality,” Waugh said.

Waugh said most people believe industry and wastewater treatment plants are the main source for water pollutants. But that isn’t the case.

“In reality, non-point source pollution is the number one source of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay area,” he said.

Non-point source pollution comes from run-off from farms, roadways, parking lots and yards.

“It’s the type of pollution that all of us have a part in,” Waugh said. “But we can help reduce it as well.”

He said because many people are spending more time and money at home nowadays, the organization came up with ways for them to help water quality around the house.

Plantmoreplants.org offers homeowners advice as to what plants they can keep in their yards that improve storm water absorption and reduce hazardous runoff.

The website has lists of the best plants to use in your yard as well as the main ones to avoid.

The list recommends everything from large trees like red maples and white oaks to colorful perennials such as purple coneflowers and black-eyed susans.

Waugh said the number one thing to consider when you buy new plants for your yard is the region in which you live.

“When you go to pick something, make sure it’s appropriate for your region,” he said. “There are a whole variety of native plants that can fit the bill of what you’re looking for.”

Waugh added that many of the plants on the recommended list are well suited for all the regions of Virginia.

It’s also important to avoid invasive plants, such as bush honeysuckles, that are hard to control and can take over a yard.

Above all, Waugh said he hopes people learn that they can help improve local water quality and realize the impact it has on the bay.

“What you do in your backyard really has an impact on your local streams, which flow to rivers that eventually go to the Chesapeake Bay,” he said.

Along with the lists of plants, the website offers contact information for local nurseries as well as landscapers who specialize in conservation landscaping.

For more information, visit www.plantmoreplants.com.