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:
- Shallow-Soil Tolerant Plants
- Median Plants
Common:
Little Bluestem
Scientific:
Schizachyrium scoparium
Plant type:
Grass/Grass-likeHeight:
2-4 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
Vase-LikeBloom:
Color orange Color purplePurplish-bronze flowers bloom in long racemes (to 3" long) on branched stems above the foliage
Blooming period:
Aug - Nex FebFruit:
color whitecolor silverBlooms are followed by fluffy, silvery-white seed head clusters that persist into winter
Foliage:
color greenSlender folded blades range from 2-12" long
Fall:
color orangecolor brownFoliage turns an attractive bronze-orange
Special Qualities:
Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 9aOther:
NativeCut back in late winter. Tolerates deer, drought, erosion, rocky soil, heat, humidity, and air pollution.
Common:
Giant Sequoia
Scientific:
Sequoiadendron giganteum
'Hazel Smith'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
40-60 ftSpread:
20-40 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Non-flowering
Fruit:
color brownProduces rounded cones (to 2.5" long)
Foliage:
color greencolor blueScaly, blue-green needles
Fall:
color greencolor blueNo significant change in fall color
Special Qualities:
Evergreen, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
Not availablepH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
6a - 8bOther:
Fall Dig Safe'Hazel Smith' is noted for its exceptional blue color, superior cold hardiness, and accelerated growth rate.
Common:
Japanese Skimmia
Scientific:
Skimmia japonica
'Nymans'Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
1.5-3 ftSpread:
3-5 ftShape:
MoundedBloom:
Color whiteSmall, white, star-shaped flowers cover the shrub in large clusters
Blooming period:
Mar - AprFruit:
color redBlooms are followed by glossy, bright red clusters of berries
Foliage:
color greenObovate, dark, glossy green leaves (~3" long)
Fall:
color greenNo significant change in fall color
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, EvergreenLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Part Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
UnknownpH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
7a - 9aOther:
Pollinator'Nymans' is noted for its fragrant white flowers.
Common:
Japanese Skimmia
Scientific:
Skimmia japonica
Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
3-4 ftSpread:
4-5 ftShape:
MoundedBloom:
Color whiteSmall, white, star-shaped flowers cover the shrub in large clusters
Blooming period:
Mar - AprFruit:
color redBlooms are followed by glossy, bright red clusters of berries
Foliage:
color greenObovate, dark green leaves (~5" long) are clustered at the branch ends with a whorl-like form
Fall:
color greenNo significant change in fall color
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, EvergreenLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Part Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
UnknownpH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
6a - 8aOther:
PollinatorShrub is dioecious (separate male and female plants). Female plants bear more attractive red berries. Plant one male for every six females to achieve a good fruit set.
Collections:
- Median Plants
- Roadway Plants
Common:
Rough Goldenrod
Scientific:
Solidago rugosa
'Fireworks'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2.5-3 ftSpread:
2-3 ftShape:
CompactBloom:
Color yellowShowy, yellow flowers bloom at the ends of spire-like stems
Blooming period:
Sep - OctFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenOvate leaves (to 4" long) have hairy, crinkled texture and serrated margins
Fall:
color greenShowy, yellow blooms last until mid-autumn
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
HighpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 8bOther:
Native'Fireworks' is noted for its bright sprays of yellow flowers.
Collections:
- Median Plants
Common:
Goldenrod
Scientific:
Solidago sphacelata
'Golden Fleece'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-1.5 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
CompactBloom:
Color yellowSmall, yellow flowers bloom in airy spires
Blooming period:
Aug - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenHeart-shaped foliage forms a dense, mat-like cover
Fall:
color greenNo significant change in fall color
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
UnknownpH:
Not availableSoil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
4a - 8a‘Golden Fleece’ is noted as a compact cultivar and for its sprays of tiny golden yellow flowers.
Common:
European Mountain Ash
Scientific:
Sorbus aucuparia
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
20-40 ftSpread:
8-20 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color whiteFlattened corymbs of small, white, 5-petaled flowers (1/3" across)
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
color redBlooms give way to pendant shaped clusters of orange-red berry-like drupes
Foliage:
color greenOvate leaves with serrated margins (~2" long)
Fall:
color yellowcolor purpleFoliage turns an attractive yellow to reddish-purple
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
NonepH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 6aOther:
Fall Dig Safe, ALB HostCommon:
Neon Flash Spirea
Scientific:
Spiraea japonica
'Neon Flash'Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
3-4 ftShape:
MoundedBloom:
Color pink Color redTiny pink to neon-red flowers bloom in clusters (corymbs)
Blooming period:
Apr - OctFruit:
color brownOrnamentally insignificant; dry, brown follicles
Foliage:
color greenAlternate, simple leaves (1-3” long) are oval with toothed leaf margins
Fall:
color redcolor purpleFoliage turns an attractive dark burgundy
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Pollinator'Neon Flash' is known for its rich red flower clusters. Ideal as a low hedge or mass planting.
Common:
Japanese Spiraea
Scientific:
Spiraea japonica
Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
4-6 ftSpread:
5-7 ftShape:
Spreading Upright MoundedBloom:
Color pink Color whiteTiny white to pink flowers bloom in clusters (corymbs)
Blooming period:
Jun - JulFruit:
color brownOrnamentally insignificant; dry, brown follicles
Foliage:
color greenAlternate, simple leaves (1-3” long) are oval with toothed leaf margins
Fall:
color redcolor orangeLeaves turn orange-red
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 8bFlowers are attractive to butterflies.
Common:
Japanese Spirea
Scientific:
Spiraea japonica
'Gold Mound'Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
3-4 ftShape:
MoundedBloom:
Color pinkTiny pink flowers bloom in flattened clusters (corymbs)
Blooming period:
Jun - JulFruit:
color brownOrnamentally insignificant; dry, brown follicles
Foliage:
color yellowAlternate, simple, golden-yellow leaves (1-3” long) are oval with toothed leaf margins
Fall:
color redFoliage turns hues of yellow, orange, and red
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
UnknownpH:
Not availableSoil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 8a'Gold Mound' is noted for its attractive golden-yellow foliage that turns orange-red in fall.