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

A large specimen of the Ilex ('Nellie R. Stevens' cultivar) plant located within a park, with evergreen foliage.

Common:

Holly

Scientific:

Ilex

'Nellie R. Stevens'

Plant type:

Trees, Shrub

Height:

15-25 ft

Spread:

10-15 ft

Shape:

Pyramidal Upright

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Small white-green flowers are inconspicuous

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Abundant amounts of berry-like bright red fruits (to 1/3" diameter) which ripen in fall and persist into winter

Foliage:

Oblong, glossy, dark green leaves have spiny margins; typically 2-3 spines often varying in the number

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Bark:

Often multi-stemmed, but can be trained as a single-trunk. Medium brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

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, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

6a - 9a

‘Nellie R. Stevens’ is a hybrid between I. aquifolium and I. cornuta. It is known for its broad pyramidal form and producing large, bright red berries without a male pollenizer; plant with a male Ilex cornuta for increased fruit production.

Hardy and lustrous. 

Fruit attracts birds and flowers attract bees.

An overhead image of multiple Ilex crenata ('Helleri' cultivar) shrubs on a garden bed.

Common:

Heller's Japanese Holly

Scientific:

Ilex crenata

'Helleri'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-4 ft

Spread:

3-5 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Four petaled white flowers which bloom in clusters

Blooming period:

May - Jun

Fruit:

Black rounded somewhat inconspicuous fruits (drupes to 1/4” diameter) which mature in fall on pollinated female plants. This cultivar only produces a modest amount of fruit, if at all

Foliage:

Ovate to elliptic, crenate to serrulate, glossy, spineless, evergreen, deep green leaves growing up to 1 1/4" long, which are attractive all year

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Bark:

New stems are green turning grayish after 2 or 3 years

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Unknown

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8b

'Helleri' is a dwarf-rounded, evergreen, female cultivar that is known for being naturally tidy in form requiring very little pruning. 

Good urban plant. Performs best in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Not tolerant of high pH.

Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

Convexa Japanese Holly

Scientific:

Ilex crenata

'Convexa'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-4 ft

Spread:

5-8 ft

Shape:

Spreading Upright Compact

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Greenish-white flowers which bloom in clusters

Blooming period:

May - Jun

Fruit:

Borne on female plants only. Black, rounded, somewhat inconspicuous fruits (drupes to 0.25" diameter) which mature in fall

Foliage:

Convex, glossy, spineless, deep green leaves growing up to 1.25" long, which are attractive all year

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Bark:

New stems are green turning grayish after 2 or 3 years

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Not available

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8a

'Convexa' has dark, evergreen leaves that are convex that distinguish it from the species. Heavy crops of black fruit.

Can be trimmed as a hedge.

Ilex glabra 'Compacta'

Common:

Compact Inkberry

Scientific:

Ilex glabra

'Compacta'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-4 ft

Spread:

4-6 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Dioecious, small greenish-white flowers

Blooming period:

May - Jun

Fruit:

Pea-sized, jet black, berry-like drupes (inkberries to 3/8" diameter) which mature in early fall

Foliage:

Spineless, flat, ovate to elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves have smooth margins with several marginal teeth near the apex

Fall:

Leaves fade to an olive green in winter. Fruit occurs in fall and lasts through winter, although commonly eaten by birds

Bark:

New stems are quite green and mature to a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

Other:

Native

'Compacta' is a compact cultivar that has a dense, oval to rounded habit. 

Well suited for the right of way. Performs best in rich, consistently moist, acidic soils in full sun. Not tolerant of high pH.

May attract birds.

Ilex glabra ‘Shamrock’

Collections:

Common:

Shamrock Inkberry

Scientific:

Ilex glabra

'Shamrock'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-4 ft

Spread:

3-4 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Dioecious, small greenish-white flowers

Blooming period:

May - Jun

Fruit:

Pea-sized, dark blue-black, berries which mature in early fall and persist

Foliage:

Spineless, flat, ovate to elliptic, glossy, deep green leaves have smooth margins with several marginal teeth near the apex.

Fall:

No significant change in fall color. Fruit occurs in fall and lasts through winter, although commonly eaten by birds

Bark:

New stems are quite green and mature to a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

Other:

Native

'Shamrock' is a compact, rounded, female cultivar that grows 3-4' tall and suckers less than the species. Requires a male pollinator to produce berries.

Well suited for the right of way. Performs best in rich, consistently moist, acidic soils in full sun. Not tolerant of high pH.

May attract birds.

DEP Residential Plan 1 and 2 and Urban Plan 1 and 2.

Ilex glabra ‘Densa’

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

Densa Inkberry

Scientific:

Ilex glabra

'Densa'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

5-8 ft

Spread:

4-8 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Dioecious with male flowers in clusters and female flowers solitary. Dull white

Blooming period:

May - Jun

Fruit:

Pea-sized, jet black, berry-like drupes (inkberries to 3/8" diameter) which mature in early fall

Foliage:

Spineless, flat, ovate to elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves have smooth margins with several marginal teeth near the apex

Fall:

No significant change in fall color. Fruit occurs in fall and lasts through winter, although commonly eaten by birds

Bark:

New stems are quite green and mature to a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

Other:

Native

'Densa' has a broader form and retains its lower leaves for dense, full coverage. 

Well suited for the right of way. Performs best in rich, consistently moist, acidic soils in full sun. Not tolerant of high pH.

May attract birds.

An image of Ilex opaca, and its dense, green canopy, with oval-shaped leaves.

Common:

American Holly

Scientific:

Ilex opaca

Plant type:

Trees, Shrub

Height:

15-30 ft

Spread:

10-20 ft

Shape:

Pyramidal Upright

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Dioecious, greenish-white flowers (male flowers in clusters and female flowers solitary

Blooming period:

May

Fruit:

Bright red, sometimes orange, berry-like fruits (about 1/3") ripen in fall. Both male and female plants must be present for fruit production to occur

Foliage:

Thick, leathery, alternate, dull, deep green leaves (2-4" long) have spiny marginal teeth

Fall:

No significant change in fall color. Fruit occurs in fall and lasts through winter, although commonly eaten by birds

Bark:

Smooth, greenish-gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 9a

Other:

Native

Tolerates a broad range of soil conditions, but not flooding or saturated soil. Leaves may yellow in alkaline soils. Protect from wind.

May attract birds.

An image of a Ilex verticillata ('Red Sprite' cultivar) bush, with visible light green berries, and oval-shaped leaves.

Common:

Red Sprite Winterberry

Scientific:

Ilex verticillata

'Red Sprite'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2.5-3 ft

Spread:

2.5-3 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Abundant, bright red berries (about 1/4" diameter) appear in late summer to fall. Requires a male pollinator

Foliage:

Glossy, medium green, elliptic leaves (2-3"), toothed margins

Fall:

No appreciable fall color. Fruit occurs just as the leaves drop, providing interest, and lasts through winter; commonly eaten by birds

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 9b

Other:

Native

May also be found as 'Nana'.

'Red Sprite' is noted for its bright red berries that provide a big impact in the landscape from late summer to early spring. This female cultivar will need to be planted near a male pollinator to produce fruit. 'Jim Dandy' is a good match. 

Well suited to the right of way. Performs best in moist, acidic, organic loams with a good tolerance for poorly drained soils.

May attract birds.

Leaf icon

Common:

Jim Dandy Winterberry

Scientific:

Ilex verticillata

'Jim Dandy'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-6 ft

Spread:

4-8 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. White flowers appear over an extended bloom period

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

No fruit on this male cultivar

Foliage:

Glossy, dark green, elliptic leaves (2-3"), toothed margins

Fall:

Not showy. Leaves turn an undistinguished purple-green to yellow

Bark:

Multi-stemmed habit. Dark gray to brown, smooth with some lenticels

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 9b

Other:

Native

'Jim Dandy' is a male cultivator and grown as a pollinator for early-blooming female cultivars. One 'Jim Dandy' is generally sufficient to pollinate 9-10 female plants. Good to pair with 'Afterglow', 'Aurantiaca', and 'Red Sprite', among others. 

May attract birds.

A full image of the Ilex verticillata plant, focus on its red berries and light green leaves.

Common:

Winterberry

Scientific:

Ilex verticillata

Plant type:

Trees, Shrub

Height:

3-12 ft

Spread:

3-12 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Dioecious, small, white with male flowers in clusters and female flowers solitary

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Bright red, glossy berries (0.25" diameter) in late summer to fall (start off green). Berries are quite showy and occur only on female plants

Foliage:

Alternate, elliptic to obovate, toothed margins, flat to shiny, dark green leaves growing 2-3" long

Fall:

Not showy, but a yellow-green with some purple tinges. Fruit occurs just as the leaves drop and lasts through winter, although commonly eaten by birds

Bark:

Multi-stemmed habit. Dark gray to brown, smooth with some lenticels

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

Other:

Native

Performs best in moist, acidic, organic loams with a good tolerance for poorly drained soils.

Well suited to the right of way.

Must be matched with a male pollinator to produce showy fruit. One male per 10-20 females; plant within 50'.

May attract birds.

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