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

placeholder image

Common:

Panicle Hydrangea

Scientific:

Hydrangea paniculata

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

8-15 ft

Spread:

6-12 ft

Shape:

Upright

Bloom:

Upright, sharply-pointed, conical, fragrant, terminal, white maturing to pink, flower panicles (to 6-8” long) that bloom from mid-summer into fall

Blooming period:

Jul - Sep

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. The fruit is dry and splits open when ripe

Foliage:

Oval to ovate dark green leaves

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Green to yellow-tinged fall color

Bark:

Gray-brown, shreds when mature

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

Level of Maintenance:

Low

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, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8b

Other:

Pollinator
Hydrangea paniculata Dvppinky

Collections:

  • Roadway Plants

Common:

Pinky Winky® Hydrangea

Scientific:

Hydrangea paniculata

'DVP Pinky'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

6-8 ft

Spread:

5-6 ft

Shape:

Upright

Bloom:

Two-toned flowers that emerge white and mature to dark pink; exceptionally large showy panicles; flowers persist into winter; blooms on current seasons growth, so prune as needed in late winter to early spring

Blooming period:

Jul - Sep

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Capsule

Foliage:

Elliptic to ovate, serrate, dark green leaves

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Yellow to purple tinged fall color

Bark:

Gray-brown, shreds when mature

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:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

3a - 8a

Other:

Pollinator

Pinky Winky® is a compact cultivar noted for producing dense, cone-shaped, exceptionally large panicles (to 12” long) of mostly sterile, two-toned, flowers that emerge white but mature to dark pink. 

An image of a Hydrangea quercifolia ('Pee Wee' cultivar) plant with lobed, and oak-like leaves.

Common:

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Scientific:

Hydrangea quercifolia

'Pee Wee'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-4 ft

Spread:

2.5-3 ft

Shape:

Rounded Compact

Bloom:

Flowers are pyramidal panicles of white and gradually fade to pink. Flowers turn brown by late summer

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Capsule

Foliage:

Distinguished for its large (4 to 12"), opposite, simple, oak-like, dark green leaves

Fall:

Leaves turn attractive shades of bronze, maroon and purple in autumn

Bark:

Mature stems exfoliate to reveal a rich brown inner bark which is attractive in winter

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

'Pee Wee' differs from the species by growing much smaller with smaller leaves and smaller flower panicles, and has a more restrained habit with less frequent suckering. 

A general image of Hydrangea quercifolia ('Alice' cultivar) and its cone-shaped, white flowers, and oak-like leaves.

Collections:

Common:

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Scientific:

Hydrangea quercifolia

'Alice'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

5-8 ft

Spread:

5-8 ft

Shape:

Upright

Bloom:

Large pyramidal flower panicles feature mostly sterile white flowers in June which bloom for 6-8 weeks, gradually fading to pink and then brown by late summer.

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Capsule

Foliage:

Distinguished for its large (4 to 12"), opposite, simple, oak-like, dark green leaves

Fall:

Leaves turn attractive shades of bronze, maroon and purple in autumn

Bark:

Mature stems exfoliate to reveal a rich brown inner bark in winter

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

'Alice' is among the largest of the Oakleaf Hydrangeas. It is most noted for its large, arching flower panicles (10-14" long), its usually disease-free foliage and its superior fall color.

An image of Hydrangea quercifolia on a raised garden bed, with surrounding compact purple flowers and cone-shaped white hydrangeas.

Common:

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Scientific:

Hydrangea quercifolia

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

6-8 ft

Spread:

6-8 ft

Shape:

Upright

Bloom:

Very large, showy, fragrant, upright, pyramidal clusters (panicles) of white flowers that turn pinkish in late summer and tan in fall. Persist on the plant providing interest for an extended period. Blooms occur on old wood

Blooming period:

May - Jul

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Brown capsule

Foliage:

Distinguished for its large (4 to 12"), opposite, simple, oak-like, dark green leaves

Fall:

Very showy, leaves turn a deep burgundy or red (sometimes orange)

Bark:

Exfoliating, cinnamon bark with prominent lenticels

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 9b

Other:

Pollinator

A local favorite. Performs best in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part-shade. 

May attract butterflies.

Sedum cauticola (Hylotelephium cauticolum) 'Lidakense'

Common:

Cliff Stonecrop

Scientific:

Hylotelephium cauticola

'Lidakense'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

0.5-1 ft

Spread:

1-1.5 ft

Shape:

Compact

Bloom:

Showy clusters of fuchsia-pink flowers rise several inches above the foliage

Blooming period:

Aug - Oct

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Capsule

Foliage:

Low growing blue-green-gray, thick, disc-like, glaucous, foliage with hints of purple

Fall:

Late blooming flowers provide primary fall interest. Plant goes dormant in the winter

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

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

Moisture:

Dry/Drought

Hardiness:

3a - 9b

May be found as Sedum cauticola 'Lidakense'; the Sedum genus has recently been split into multiple genera.

'Lidakense' is noted for its blue-grey foliage and clusters of showy fuchsia flowers. 

Easy to disturb, care must be taken when selecting this plant for the right-of-way to ensure proper site conditions are met.

May attract butterflies.

An image of Hylotelephium spectabile ('Herbstfreude' cultivar), which has pink and rounded flower heads, and thin green stalks.

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

Autumn Joy Stonecrop

Scientific:

Hylotelephium spectabile

'Herbstfreude'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

1.5-2 ft

Spread:

1.5-2 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Tiny, star-like flowers which emerge pink, gradually changing to deep rose-red

Blooming period:

Sep - Oct

Fruit:

Inflorescences mature to a coopery-rust color as they die and persist on the plant well into winter

Foliage:

Grayish-green, fleshy, rounded, succulent-like leaves grow in upright to slightly spreading clumps

Fall:

Long lasting blooms provide fall interest, especially as they mature to a coppery-rust color and die. Persist on the stem well into winter. Plants may be cut back in spring

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

May be found as Sedum 'Herbstfreude' or 'Autumn Joy'; the Sedum genus has recently been split into multiple genera.

One of the most popular cultivars, 'Herbstfreude', also referred to as 'Autumn Joy', is noted for its masses of tiny, star-like flowers which emerge pink, gradually change to deep rose-red and then coppery-rust in autumn as they die. 

Prefers dry sites in full sun and is known for growing on rocks (hence the common name). Does not tolerate moist or overly fertile soils.

May attract butterflies.

Hylotelephium telephium ('Vera Jameson' cultivar) flowers that are pink and compact, against slender grasses.

Collections:

Common:

Vera Jameson Stonecrop

Scientific:

Hylotelephium telephium

'Vera Jameson'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

0.75-1 ft

Spread:

0.75-1 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Tiny, star-like, dusky pink flowers in large, 3-5" across, flattened heads at the stem ends

Blooming period:

Jul - Sep

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Fleshy, rounded, succulent-like, blue-green leaves that turn purplish growing in somewhat sprawling clumps

Fall:

Late blooming flowers provide primary fall interest. Plant goes dormant in the winter and can be trimmed back in early spring

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

May be found as Sedum 'Vera Jameson'; the Sedum genus has recently been split into multiple genera.

'Vera Jameson' is noted for its foliage that is blue-green before it turns deep burgundy. Its dusty-pink flowers contrast beautifully with the foliage. 

May attract bees and butterflies.

DEP Urban Plan 3.

Sedum (Hylotelephium) telephium 'Matrona’

Common:

Matrona Stonecrop

Scientific:

Hylotelephium telephium

'Matrona'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

2-2.5 ft

Spread:

1.5-2 ft

Shape:

Upright Compact

Bloom:

Masses of tiny, star-like, pastel pink flowers bloom in large flattened heads (cymes) atop shiny, purplish-red stems. Flowers will fade to a burgandy-brown as they age

Blooming period:

Aug - Oct

Fruit:

Flowers will transition to seed heads that persist on the plant and provide further winter interest

Foliage:

Fleshy, succulent, bronze-tinged, gray-green leaves

Fall:

Long-lasting blooms along with purple-red stems provide fall interest. Plant will eventually go dormant while the seed heads remain

Bark:

Shiny, purplish-red stems

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

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:

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

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

May be found as Sedum 'Matrona'; the Sedum genus has recently been split into multiple genera.

This cultivar is noted for its masses of tiny, star-like, pastel pink flowers densely packed in large umbrella-shaped flowerheads.

May attract butterflies.

An eye-level image of Hypericum ('Hidcote' cultivar) with predominantly green foliage and occasional yellow flowers.

Common:

St. John's Wort

Scientific:

Hypericum

'Hidcote'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-4 ft

Spread:

2-4 ft

Shape:

Compact

Bloom:

Rose-like, 5-petaled, waxy, cupped, golden yellow flowers (3" diameter) with numerous, prominent, dark yellow center stamens.

Blooming period:

Jun - Sep

Foliage:

Dark green, lance-shaped leaves are 2-3" long.

Fall:

No appreciable fall color.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 9a

'Hidcote' is noted for being a compact, deciduous shrub with unusually large, golden yellow, rose-like flowers that bloom throughout the summer. 

Download CSV