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 three Juniperus virginiana trees, which are bright green, accompanied by allium flowers below.

Common:

Red Cedar

Scientific:

Juniperus virginiana

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

30-65 ft

Spread:

8-25 ft

Shape:

Pyramidal

Bloom:

Male flowers are yellow while females are green. Males have 10-12 stamens

Blooming period:

Dec - Feb

Fruit:

Female trees produce round, gray to blackish-green berry-like cones (0.25" diameter) that ripen in fall the first year. Berry-like cones are attractive to many birds

Foliage:

Dark blue-green scale-like foliage

Fall:

Foliage may turn brown-green in winter

Bark:

Gray to reddish-brown bark exfoliates in thin shreddy strips on mature trees. Trunks are often fluted at the base. Heartwood is light brown and aromatic

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Evergreen, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3b - 9b

Other:

Native
Juniperus x pfitzeriana 'Kallay's Compact'

Common:

Juniper

Scientific:

Juniperus x pfitzeriana

'Kallay's Compact'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-3 ft

Spread:

3-6 ft

Shape:

Spreading

Bloom:

Species does not flower

Fruit:

Pollinated female plants produce fleshy seed cones (whitish-blue berries) that generally acquire brown tones as they mature over two years

Foliage:

Scale-like, medium green needles are soft to the touch. Foliage is attractive year round and fragrant when crushed

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

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

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

‘Kallay’s Compact’ is a dwarf cultivar known for its horizontally-spreading branching that forms a somewhat flat top. 

Juniperus chinensis 'Old Gold'

Common:

Chinese Juniper

Scientific:

Juniperus × pfitzeriana

'Old Gold'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-3 ft

Spread:

4-5 ft

Shape:

Compact

Bloom:

Species does not flower

Fruit:

Small, berry-like cones. Pale blue when immature, turning to a dark brown

Foliage:

Bronze-gold foliage. Adult scale-like leaves and some awl-shaped juvenile needles

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Bark:

Pale brown. Mature bark has ridges and furrows. Peels in thin strips

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, 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:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

‘Old Gold’ is a compact, spreading, evergreen shrub that is noted for its bronze-gold foliage which retains good color throughout winter. 

Kerria japonica 'Picta'

Common:

Japanese Kerria

Scientific:

Kerria japonica

'Picta'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-3 ft

Spread:

2-4 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Profuse, yellow, five-petaled, rose-like flowers (1.75" diameter)

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Fruit rarely produced and is not ornamentally significant.

Foliage:

Toothed, narrow, somewhat triangular, grayish-green leaves edged with white.

Fall:

Leaves hold late into fall. Some turn a clear yellow while others drop while still green.

Bark:

Bright green stems are shiny and smooth. In winter, stems can turn yellow-green.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Not available

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5b - 9a

'Picta' is a low-growing, broadly rounded, slowly spreading cultivar with a dense, twiggy habit. 

This is an image of Koelreuteria paniculata ('Fastigiata' cultivar), which has a tall stature and thing trunk, and green leaves.

Collections:

Common:

‘Fastigiata’ Goldenraintree

Scientific:

Koelreuteria paniculata

'Fastigiata'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

25-30 ft

Spread:

4-6 ft

Shape:

Fastigate Columnar Upright

Bloom:

This cultivar rarely flowers. Small flowers in large (12-15"), loose upright clusters.

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Large (2" long) inflated papery capsules change from yellowish green to tan/brown in fall persisting into winter.

Foliage:

Pinnate or bipinnate, feathery, compound leaves (to 18" long), each leaf having 7-17 irregularly lobed leaflets. Leaves emerge pinkish bronze to purplish in spring, mature to a bright green in summer.

Fall:

Leaves turn yellow (quite variable) in fall.

Bark:

Light gray-brown bark. Older branches and trunk have significant ridges and furrows. It has moderate ornamental appeal.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5b - 9b

'Fastigiata' is a rare cultivar that is selected for its upright, columnar form. It rarely flowers and appears to be less cold hardy than the species.  

Koelreuteria paniculata 'Rose Lanterns'

Collections:

Common:

Goldenraintree

Scientific:

Koelreuteria paniculata

'Rose Lantern'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

30-40 ft

Spread:

30-40 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Bright yellow flowers (0.5" wide) appear in early summer in long, terminal, panicles (12-15"). Falling blossoms may resemble "golden rain" and form an attractive golden carpet under the tree.

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Pink fruits

Foliage:

Pinnate or bipinnate, feathery, compound leaves (to 18" long), each leaf having 7-17 irregularly lobed leaflets. Leaves emerge pinkish bronze to purplish in spring, mature to a bright green in summer.

Fall:

Leaves turn yellow (quite variable) in fall.

Bark:

Light gray-brown bark. Older branches and trunk have significant ridges and furrows. It has moderate ornamental appeal.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5b - 9b

Other:

ALB Host

'Rose Lantern' is known for its airy plumes of yellow flowers that become showy rose capsules in fall. 

This is a general image of Koelreuteria paniculata, with a round canopy and green leaves that are beginning to turn yellow.

Collections:

Common:

Goldenraintree

Scientific:

Koelreuteria paniculata

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

30-40 ft

Spread:

30-40 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Bright yellow flowers (0.5" wide) appear in early summer in long, terminal, panicles (12-15"). Falling blossoms may resemble "golden rain" and form an attractive golden carpet under the tree.

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Large (2" long) inflated papery capsules. Yellowish-green in late summer, changing to tan/brown in fall and persisting into winter. Interesting ornamental appeal.

Foliage:

Pinnate or bipinnate, feathery, compound leaves (to 18" long), each leaf having 7-17 irregularly lobed leaflets. Leaves emerge pinkish bronze to purplish in spring, mature to a bright green in summer.

Fall:

Leaves turn yellow (quite variable) in fall.

Bark:

Light gray-brown bark. Older branches and trunk have significant ridges and furrows. It has moderate ornamental appeal.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5b - 9b

Other:

ALB Host
Laburnum x watereri

Common:

Goldenchain Tree

Scientific:

Laburnum x watereri

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

12-15 ft

Spread:

8-10 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded Upright

Bloom:

Very showy, pendulous clusters that can be 10-20" long. Individual flowers are pea-like and about 1" long.

Blooming period:

May

Fruit:

Small flattened pod that changes from green to brown in October.

Foliage:

Alternate trifoliate leaves. Each leaflet is elliptical with all three leaflets of about equal size. Leaves are 1.25-3'.

Fall:

Yellow-green and unimpressive.

Bark:

Stems are shiny, olive green - this color and texture is retained even as it ages. The main trunk's bark eventually develops roughness and fissuring.

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Not available

Salt:

Not available

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Not available

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5b - 9b

Other:

ALB Safe
Lagerstroemia fauriei

Common:

Japanese Crape Myrtle

Scientific:

Lagerstroemia fauriei

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

35-50 ft

Spread:

25-35 ft

Shape:

Vase-Like

Bloom:

Very showy small white flowers in loose terminal panicles

Blooming period:

Jun - Aug

Fruit:

Small capsule, green at first maturing to a dark brown or black often persist on the tree

Foliage:

Opposite, elliptic, oblong, obovate, pinnate, medium green leaves growing 2-4" long

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Plant will develop hues of green to gold/yellow

Bark:

Often multi-stemmed, but can be trained as a single-trunk. Spectacular, peeling, copper colored bark

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

6b - 10a

Drought tolerant. Care must be taken when selecting this plant for the right-of-way to ensure proper site conditions are met.

Lagerstroemia 'Gamad I'

Common:

Cherry Dazzle® Dwarf Crape Myrtle

Scientific:

Lagerstroemia indica

'Gamad I'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-5 ft

Spread:

3-5 ft

Shape:

Upright Compact

Bloom:

Red buds open to crepe-papery inflorescences of cherry red flowers. Deadheading will promote additional blooms all the way into fall. Blooms occur on new wood

Blooming period:

Jun - Aug

Fruit:

Round seed capsule that often persists into winter

Foliage:

Opposite, elliptic to oblong-obovate. Foliage emerges bronze with new growth in spring and matures to a dark green

Fall:

Leaves turn to a vibrant burgundy-red-purple. Plants will die back to the ground in harsh winters

Bark:

Gray to tan bark which exfoliates with age

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 Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

6a - 10a

'Gamad I' is noted for its brilliant red blooms and vibrant red-purple fall foliage. 

Plant in a protected location. Care must be taken when selecting this plant for use in the right-of-way.

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