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

An image of yellow Hemerocallis ('Happy Returns' cultivar) blossoms scattered along a city median.

Common:

Daylily

Scientific:

Hemerocallis

'Happy Returns'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

2-2.5 ft

Spread:

2-2.5 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Bell shaped flowers that are 3". Buttery yellow color. Long blooming if dead-headed and watered

Blooming period:

Jun - Oct

Foliage:

Green basal, linear, grass-like to sword shaped foliage

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

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

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

Other:

Pollinator

'Happy Returns' is a repeat-blooming diploid cultivar which features 3.5" diameter, ruffled, lemon yellow flowers.

H. fulva is invasive; H. cultivars not listed as invasive in NY, Do not plant near natural areas. Needs deadheading

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Common:

Coral Bells

Scientific:

Heuchera

'Palace Purple'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

1-2 ft

Spread:

1-1.5 ft

Shape:

Mounded

Bloom:

Tiny, pinkish white, bell-shaped flowers in open, airy panicles are borne on slender, wiry, dark red stems extending well above the mound of leaves, typically to a height of 15-24" in late spring to early summer

Blooming period:

May - Jun

Foliage:

Deep purple, ivy-shaped foliage fades to bronze green in the heat of summer

Fall:

Becomes dark green in the fall. evergreen in mild winter areas; an herbaceous perennial in colder regions

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Light:

Full Sun to Full Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

'Palace Purple' is characterized by its brilliant, deep purple foliage and contrasting sprays of tiny, white, summer flowers. 

Needs even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline 

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Common:

Coral Bells

Scientific:

Heuchera

'Plum Pudding'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

1-2 ft

Spread:

1-1.5 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Spike to open, airy panicle flowers of about 5" long appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers rise above the foliage mound, typically to 24” tall

Blooming period:

Apr - Jul

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Large, shiny, silvery, plum-purple leaves with dark-purple veining. lobed, long-petioled leaves form a basal mound

Fall:

Foliage is essentially evergreen in warm winter climates. In cold winter climates the amount of retained foliage color in winter depends in large part upon the severity of the temperatures

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Full Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

'Plum Pudding' is a hybrid coral bells cultivar noted for its large, shiny, silvery, plum-purple leaves with dark-purple veining and conspicuous but non-showy whitish flowers.

Good ground cover for shaded areas in rock gardens, borders and open woodland gardens. Needs even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline. 

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Common:

Coral Bells

Scientific:

Heuchera

'Miracle'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

0.75-1.5 ft

Spread:

0.75-1 ft

Bloom:

Tiny spike flowers of about 5" long appear in early summer (later than most heucheras). The flowers rise above the foliage mound, typically to 18” tall

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Leaves emerge chartreuse in spring with red splotches in the center, but mature by summer to deep red with yellow on the margins. Leaves are silvery underneath

Fall:

Evergreen in mild climates; herbaceous perennial in colder regions

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Full Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 8b

Other:

Pollinator

‘Miracle’ is a vigorous, clump-forming coral bells cultivar that is noted for the changing colors of its leaves. Leaves emerge chartreuse in spring with red splotches in the center, but mature by summer to deep red with yellow on the margins. Leaves are silvery underneath. 

Needs even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline. 

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Common:

Coral Bells

Scientific:

Heuchera americana

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

0.75-1.5 ft

Spread:

0.75-1 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Tiny, greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers in open, airy panicles are borne on slender, wiry stems extending well above the mound of leaves, typically to a height of 18-24" (infrequently to 3 feet) in late spring to early summer

Blooming period:

May - Jul

Foliage:

clump of heart-shaped, 5- to 7-lobed, long-petioled leaves (3-5" wide), which emerge flushed with purplish-brown and mature to a uniform green.

Fall:

Keeps foliage well into winter

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring

Light:

Full Sun to Full Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 9b

Other:

Native, Pollinator

Needs even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline 

An image of a bushel of Hibiscus laevis flowers, illustrating their pink petals, red center, and green foliage.

Common:

Rose Mallow

Scientific:

Hibiscus laevis

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

4-6 ft

Spread:

2-3 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Large, 5-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers with white to pink petals and maroon eyes. Blooms last for one day

Blooming period:

Jun - Sep

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Hairless leaves are alternate, 3-6" long, divided into 3-5 pointed lobes

Fall:

Stalks die down in the winter and grow back in the spring

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

None

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

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

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator
An image of a garden bed of Hibiscus moscheutos ('Southern Belle' cultivar) flowers that are white, accompanied by red centers.

Collections:

Common:

Hardy Hibiscus

Scientific:

Hibiscus moscheutos

'Southern Belle'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

4-6 ft

Spread:

3-4 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Slightly trumpet-shaped flowers about 8" in diameter that come in a variety of colors. Overlapping petals of each flower surround a prominent and showy creamy white to pale yellow central staminal column.

Blooming period:

Jul - Sep

Fruit:

Seed capsules will float on water which facilitates seed dispersal

Foliage:

Alternate, broad-ovate leaves with toothed margins are green above and white-hairy beneath

Fall:

Flowers will bloom into early fall.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

5a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

'Southern Belle' is known for its variety of colors with red, pink, white, and bi-color flowers.

DEP Full Sun Plan 2.

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Collections:

Common:

Hardy Hibiscus

Scientific:

Hibiscus moscheutos

'Luna Pink Swirl'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

2-3 ft

Spread:

2-3 ft

Shape:

Rounded Compact

Bloom:

Slightly trumpet-shaped flowers about 8" in diameter that have a cranberry red center and five overlapping white petals swirled with pink.

Blooming period:

Jul - Sep

Fruit:

Seed capsules will float on water which facilitates seed dispersal.

Foliage:

Alternate, broad-ovate, leaves with toothed margins are green above and white-hairy beneath. Leaves are lobeless or have 3-5 shallow lobes.

Fall:

Will bloom into the fall season.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

5a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

'Luna Pink Swirl' is noted for its large blush-pink flowers with dark cranberry-red centers. 

DEP Urban Plan 1.

An image of a bush of the common Hibiscus syriacus, which emphasizes the large, green foliage surrounding the white and red flowers.

Common:

Rose of Sharon

Scientific:

Hibiscus syriacus

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

8-12 ft

Spread:

6-12 ft

Shape:

Vase-Like Upright

Bloom:

Showy, hollyhock-like, 5-petaled pink flowers with red eyes

Blooming period:

Jun - Oct

Fruit:

Capsule; not ornamentally significant

Foliage:

Palmately-veined, coarsely-toothed, three-lobed, medium green leaves

Fall:

leaves produce no significant fall color

Bark:

white-gray and relatively smooth, branching very near to the ground

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

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

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

5a - 8b

Other:

Pollinator

Good for open, sunny spaces.

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Common:

Panicle Hydrangea

Scientific:

Hydrangea paniculata

'Limelight'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

6-8 ft

Spread:

6-8 ft

Shape:

Upright Compact

Bloom:

Flowers emerge creamy white, mature to chartreuse-lime and eventually acquire pink-darkening-to-rose tones before finally fading to beige

Blooming period:

Jul - Sep

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Capsule

Foliage:

Oval to ovate, serrate, dark green leaves (to 4” long)

Fall:

As the flowers fades in fall, the leaves turn attractive shades of red

Bark:

Gray-brown, shreds when mature

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

3a - 8b

Other:

Pollinator

'Limelight' is a slightly more compact cultivar that is noted for producing large, dense, upright, cone-shaped panicles (to 8” across) of mostly sterile flowers that change color on the shrub as they mature. Flowers emerge creamy white, mature to chartreuse-lime and eventually acquire pink-darkening-to-rose tones before finally fading to beige. 

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