Plant Finder
User Guidelines
The Plant Finder is a multi-faceted tool to assist designers, contractors, maintenance personnel, community groups and the general public in selecting plants that perform well within the public right-of-way. It expands on the lists included in previous versions of the Manual and should be used in conjunction with the guidance provided in the Landscape Chapter.
The Plant Finder database is not comprehensive and there is no guarantee that these plants will survive at a specific site. All plants within the public right-of-way must be selected based on site-specific conditions and approved by the appropriate agency or agencies with jurisdiction. Download the Plant Finder User Guide for instructions on how to use the tool.
The information in this database was generated by DOT, Parks, other agency staff, and local horticulture professionals based on their first-hand knowledge as well as from existing resources. Download the Plant Finder References page for a full list of sources.
Plant Basics
Characteristics
Tolerances
Collections:
- Median Plants
Common:
Rose Creek Glossy Abelia
Scientific:
Abelia x grandiflora
'Rose Creek'Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
3-4 ftShape:
Compact MoundedBloom:
Color pink Color white Small clusters of white flowers turning to pink
Blooming period:
May - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor pink Glossy button-like leaves emerge with pink tinting before turning green. Leaves are semi-evergreen
Fall:
color greencolor purpleLeaves turn soft purple-green in winter
Special Qualities:
Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color, EvergreenLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
6a - 9aOther:
Pollinator'Rose Creek' is more compact than the species. Does best in a little shade. Good for massing and in combination with other woody shrubs as well as showy and textured plants.
Requires steady moisture during establishment.
Collections:
- Median Plants
Common:
John Creech Glossy Abelia
Scientific:
Abelia x grandiflora
'John Creech'Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
3-6 ftSpread:
3-6 ftShape:
Spreading MoundedBloom:
Color white Small clusters of white flowers. Blooms are lightly fragrant, but not very showy
Blooming period:
May - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor yellow Glossy leaves are semi-evergreen and may persist depending on winter temperatures
Fall:
color greencolor orangecolor purplecolor brownLeaves turn from green to a mixture of purple and bronze that last into winter
Special Qualities:
Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color, EvergreenLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
6a - 9bOther:
Pollinator'John Creech' is a slightly bigger cultivar.
Requires steady moisture during establishment. Slightly salt tolerant.
Common:
White Fir
Scientific:
Abies concolor
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
50-80 ftSpread:
15-30 ftShape:
PyramidalBloom:
Species does not flower
Fruit:
color greencolor yellowcolor purplecolor brown Barrel-shaped cones are often yellowish-green maturing to brown or purple. Cones appear upright on the branches
Foliage:
color blue Conifer with stunning blue needles
Fall:
color blueNo significant change in fall color
Special Qualities:
Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, EvergreenLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, LoamMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
4a - 7bSpectacular blue confier that shows best in full sun. Great in combination with contrasting shrubs and ornamental grasses. Make sure to provide space around this plant for air circulation.
More heat & drought tolerant than most firs. Casts dense shade, which may hinder undergrowth.
Common:
Korean Fir
Scientific:
Abies koreana
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
15-30 ftSpread:
6-12 ftShape:
Pyramidal CompactBloom:
Species does not flower
Fruit:
color purple Purple cones (3" long) appear upright on the branches and generally in clusters
Foliage:
color greencolor whitecolor silver Shiny dark green needles with bright white-silver undersides. Fragrant
Fall:
color greencolor whitecolor silverNo significant change in fall color
Special Qualities:
Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, EvergreenLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
UnknownpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4b - 7bOther:
Fall Dig SafeMay struggle in hot summers, although more heat tolerant than other firs; generally prefers a cool moist environment. Not tolerant of urban pollution.
Extra care should be taken when specifying this plant to ensure site conditions are appropriate.
Common:
Nordmann Fir
Scientific:
Abies nordmanniana
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
35-60 ftSpread:
15-25 ftShape:
PyramidalBloom:
Species does not flower
Fruit:
color redcolor brown Dark-reddish brown cylindrical seed cones appear upright on the branches. Cones disintegrate after the seeds ripen
Foliage:
color greencolor whitecolor black Dark green almost black needles with whitish stomatal bands on underside
Fall:
color greencolor whitecolor blackNo significant change in fall color
Special Qualities:
Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, EvergreenLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
WinterLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
UnknownpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 5bSpecimen type species that may not tolerate urban pollution.
Extra care should be taken when specifying this plant to ensure the site conditions are appropriate.
Common:
Trident Maple
Scientific:
Acer buergerianum
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
20-30 ftSpread:
20-30 ftShape:
Oval RoundedBloom:
Color green Color yellow Ornamentally insignificant. Greenish-yellow flowers
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color green Ornamentally insignificant. Samara
Foliage:
color green Large triangular three-lobed green leaves (up to 3.5" long)
Fall:
color redcolor orangeVery attractive. Varies from red to orange
Special Qualities:
Fall Color, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
SandMoisture:
Dry/DroughtHardiness:
5a - 9bOther:
Fall Dig Safe, ALB HostGreat plant for fall color.
Common:
Queen Elizabeth™ Hedge Maple
Scientific:
Acer campestre
'Evelyn'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
25-30 ftSpread:
25-35 ftShape:
Oval UprightBloom:
Color green Color yellow Ornamentally insignificant
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color brown Ornamentally insignificant. Nearly horizontal, winged samaras
Foliage:
color green Dark green, 3-5 lobed leaves
Fall:
color yellowLeaves turn various shades of yellow in fall
Special Qualities:
Fall ColorLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, Clay, Heavy ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
Fall Dig Safe, ALB Host, Has Invasive Tendencies'Evelyn' is known to be more vigorous than the species. It is primarily distinguished by having distinct uniform upright branching at a 45 degree angle, larger leaves, and a growth spurt in the first year.
This species is recognized by professionals and institutions in the tri-state area, and/or nationwide, as potentially damaging to our natural systems. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.
Common:
Metro Gold® Hedge Maple
Scientific:
Acer campestre
'Panacek'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
25-35 ftSpread:
20-20 ftShape:
Oval UprightBloom:
Color green Color yellow Ornamentally insignificant
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color brown Samara. Produces fewer seeds than the species
Foliage:
color green Opposite, 3 to 5 lobed leaves approximately 2" to 4" wide with a uniform dark green color
Fall:
color yellowGreat fall color, can be consistent golden yellow
Special Qualities:
Fall ColorLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, Clay, Heavy ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
Fall Dig Safe, ALB Host, Has Invasive Tendencies'Panacek' is upright and has a tighter shape than Queen Elizabeth™ Hedge Maple. It also produces fewer seeds and has an improved, bright yellow fall color compared with the species.
This species is recognized by professionals and institutions in the tri-state area, and/or nationwide, as potentially damaging to our natural systems. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.
Common:
Hedge Maple
Scientific:
Acer campestre
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
25-35 ftSpread:
25-35 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color green Color yellow Ornamentally insignificant
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color brown Ornamentally insignificant. Samaras, 1.25" to 1.75"
Foliage:
color green Opposite, 3 to 5 lobed leaves approximately 2" to 4" wide with a uniform dark green color
Fall:
color yellowGolden yellow. Typically changes color late in the season
Special Qualities:
Fall ColorLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, Clay, Heavy ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
Fall Dig Safe, ALB Host, Has Invasive TendenciesThis species is recognized by professionals and institutions in the tri-state area, and/or nationwide, as potentially damaging to our natural systems. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.
Tolerates urban pollution well.
Common:
Amur Maple
Scientific:
Acer ginnala
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
15-20 ftSpread:
15-20 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color yellow Ornamentally Insignificant. Small, pale yellow flowers emerge in clusters in early spring. Fragrant
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color red Reddish samaras, especially in June and July. 0.75"-1" long with wings nearly parallel. Persist in winter
Foliage:
color green Medium to dark green. Opposite, 1.5"-3" long leaves. Three-lobed with central lobe prominent. Early to leaf out in spring
Fall:
color yellowcolor redTypically showy red, but can be yellow (genotype dependent). Colors early in fall, and colored foliage not held particularly long
Special Qualities:
Showy Fruit, Fall Color, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 8bOther:
ALB Host, Has Invasive TendenciesSometimes referred to as Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala.
This species is recognized by professionals and institutions in the tri-state area, and/or nationwide, as potentially damaging to our natural systems. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.