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

This is a street-view photo of an Abelia x grandiflora (Rose Creek) shrub.

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

Rose Creek Glossy Abelia

Scientific:

Abelia x grandiflora

'Rose Creek'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-3 ft

Spread:

3-4 ft

Shape:

Compact Mounded

Bloom:

Small clusters of white flowers turning to pink

Blooming period:

May - Sep

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Glossy button-like leaves emerge with pink tinting before turning green. Leaves are semi-evergreen

Fall:

Leaves turn soft purple-green in winter

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

6a - 9a

Other:

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.

Abelia x grandiflora

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

John Creech Glossy Abelia

Scientific:

Abelia x grandiflora

'John Creech'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-6 ft

Spread:

3-6 ft

Shape:

Spreading Mounded

Bloom:

Small clusters of white flowers. Blooms are lightly fragrant, but not very showy

Blooming period:

May - Sep

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Glossy leaves are semi-evergreen and may persist depending on winter temperatures

Fall:

Leaves turn from green to a mixture of purple and bronze that last into winter

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

6a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

'John Creech' is a slightly bigger cultivar.

Requires steady moisture during establishment. Slightly salt tolerant.

A large, mature specimen of an Abies Concolor tree, displaying it's conical silhouette.

Common:

White Fir

Scientific:

Abies concolor

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

50-80 ft

Spread:

15-30 ft

Shape:

Pyramidal

Bloom:

Species does not flower

Fruit:

Barrel-shaped cones are often yellowish-green maturing to brown or purple. Cones appear upright on the branches

Foliage:

Conifer with stunning blue needles

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

4a - 7b

Spectacular 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.

Abies koreana

Common:

Korean Fir

Scientific:

Abies koreana

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-30 ft

Spread:

6-12 ft

Shape:

Pyramidal Compact

Bloom:

Species does not flower

Fruit:

Purple cones (3" long) appear upright on the branches and generally in clusters

Foliage:

Shiny dark green needles with bright white-silver undersides. Fragrant

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Unknown

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4b - 7b

Other:

Fall Dig Safe

May 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.

Abies nordmanniana

Common:

Nordmann Fir

Scientific:

Abies nordmanniana

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

35-60 ft

Spread:

15-25 ft

Shape:

Pyramidal

Bloom:

Species does not flower

Fruit:

Dark-reddish brown cylindrical seed cones appear upright on the branches. Cones disintegrate after the seeds ripen

Foliage:

Dark green almost black needles with whitish stomatal bands on underside

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Bark:

Charcoal gray bark

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Unknown

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 5b

Specimen type species that may not tolerate urban pollution.

Extra care should be taken when specifying this plant to ensure the site conditions are appropriate.

Placeholder

Common:

Trident Maple

Scientific:

Acer buergerianum

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

20-30 ft

Spread:

20-30 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Greenish-yellow flowers

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Samara

Foliage:

Large triangular three-lobed green leaves (up to 3.5" long)

Fall:

Very attractive. Varies from red to orange

Bark:

Gray-brown-orange, exfoliating and scaly bark

Special Qualities:

Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand

Moisture:

Dry/Drought

Hardiness:

5a - 9b

Other:

Fall Dig Safe, ALB Host

Great plant for fall color.

Acer campestre Queen Elizabeth

Collections:

Common:

Queen Elizabeth™ Hedge Maple

Scientific:

Acer campestre

'Evelyn'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

25-30 ft

Spread:

25-35 ft

Shape:

Oval Upright

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Nearly horizontal, winged samaras

Foliage:

Dark green, 3-5 lobed leaves

Fall:

Leaves turn various shades of yellow in fall

Special Qualities:

Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, Clay, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8a

Other:

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.

An Acer campestre ('Panacek' cultivar) tree that is centrally-framed, in a sidewalk setting,

Collections:

Common:

Metro Gold® Hedge Maple

Scientific:

Acer campestre

'Panacek'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

25-35 ft

Spread:

20-20 ft

Shape:

Oval Upright

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Samara. Produces fewer seeds than the species

Foliage:

Opposite, 3 to 5 lobed leaves approximately 2" to 4" wide with a uniform dark green color

Fall:

Great fall color, can be consistent golden yellow

Bark:

Greyish-black with shallow ridges and furrows

Special Qualities:

Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, Clay, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8a

Other:

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.

An Acer campestre tree seen behind a lamppost, located amongst apartment buildings.

Collections:

Common:

Hedge Maple

Scientific:

Acer campestre

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

25-35 ft

Spread:

25-35 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Samaras, 1.25" to 1.75"

Foliage:

Opposite, 3 to 5 lobed leaves approximately 2" to 4" wide with a uniform dark green color

Fall:

Golden yellow. Typically changes color late in the season

Bark:

Grayish bark with shallow ridges and furrows

Special Qualities:

Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, Clay, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8a

Other:

Fall Dig Safe, ALB Host, Has Invasive Tendencies

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.

Tolerates urban pollution well.

An Acer ginnala tree with some leaves turning an autumn yellow, positioned on a sidewalk.

Collections:

Common:

Amur Maple

Scientific:

Acer ginnala

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally Insignificant. Small, pale yellow flowers emerge in clusters in early spring. Fragrant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Reddish samaras, especially in June and July. 0.75"-1" long with wings nearly parallel. Persist in winter

Foliage:

Medium to dark green. Opposite, 1.5"-3" long leaves. Three-lobed with central lobe prominent. Early to leaf out in spring

Fall:

Typically showy red, but can be yellow (genotype dependent). Colors early in fall, and colored foliage not held particularly long

Bark:

Grayish-brown on trunk and old branches. Young bark is gray, smooth and has darker striations

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8b

Other:

ALB Host, Has Invasive Tendencies

Sometimes 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.

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