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

Magnolia x soulangeana 'Rustica Rubra'

Common:

Saucer Magnolia

Scientific:

Magnolia x soulangeana

'Rustica Rubra'

Plant type:

Trees, Shrub

Height:

20-25 ft

Spread:

20-25 ft

Shape:

Spreading

Bloom:

Fragrant goblet-shaped flowers (to 5" across) with bright rosy-pink outsides and pure white insides

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Aggregate fruit (to 3" long) has knobby surface with reddish-orange seeds emerging from slits in early Fall

Foliage:

Large, elliptic, leathery, alternate, simple pointed tip leaves (to 7" long)

Fall:

Foliage turns a rich shade of golden-bronze

Bark:

Attractive silver-gray smooth bark

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 9a

'Rustica Rubra' is known for its large, fragrant, goblet-shaped flowers that are a bright rosy-pink on the outside and pure white inside.

This is an image of a Magnolia x soulangeana tree, which has a rounded crown, full of green leaves.

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

Saucer Magnolia

Scientific:

Magnolia x soulangeana

Plant type:

Trees, Shrub

Height:

20-25 ft

Spread:

20-25 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Fragrant cup-like flowers (to 8" across) are pink with white interiors

Blooming period:

Mar

Fruit:

Aggregate fruit (to 3" long) has knobby surface with reddish-orange seeds emerging from slits in early Fall

Foliage:

Large, elliptic, leathery, alternate, simple pointed tip leaves (to 7" long)

Fall:

Undistinguished fall color

Bark:

Attractive silver-gray smooth bark

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

It is the most commonly grown deciduous magnolia; often grown in a multi-trunked shrubby form.

This is an image of a Malus ('Donald Wyman' cultivar) tree in its flowering form, involving abundant clusters of white flowers and pink buds.

Collections:

Common:

Flowering Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Donald Wyman'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

17-22 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Fragrant, white, single flowers open from pink buds and bloom in abundance

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Flowers are followed by clusters of cherry-like, glossy, bright red crabapples that mature in fall and persist well into winter. Often eaten by birds

Foliage:

Glossy, toothed, dark green leaves

Fall:

Leaves turn amber-gold in fall. Persistent crabapples also provide interest

Bark:

Ornamentally insignificant. May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Bark is a gray-brown

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 Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4b - 8b

'Donald Wyman' is noted for its large, spreading habit with outstanding flowering and fruiting characteristics. Fruit is one of the most persistent of all crabapples.

Discovered at Arnold Arboretum in 1950.

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract birds and butterflies.

Malus 'Dolgo'

Collections:

Common:

Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Dolgo'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

25-30 ft

Spread:

20-25 ft

Shape:

Oval

Bloom:

Abundant clusters of showy, fragrant, white flowers emerge from distinctive pink buds

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Flowers are followed by small, deep red crabapples (1.5" diameter) that mature in fall and persist into winter. Often eaten by birds

Foliage:

Attractive, narrow, ovate, glossy, dark green leaves

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Leaves turn yellow. Persistent crabapples also provide interest

Bark:

Ornamentally insignificant. May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Bark is a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4b - 8b

'Dolgo' is known for its early and heavy fruit bearing. The fruit is edible and has a high juice content. it is also noted for its apricot-pink buds that open into an explosion of fragrant, white flowers.

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract birds and butterflies.

Malus 'Coralburst'

Collections:

Common:

Coralburst® Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Coralcole'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

10-15 ft

Spread:

10-15 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Coral pink buds open to double rose flowers

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Flowers are followed by abundant bronze-yellow fruit that persist into winter. Attractive to birds

Foliage:

Dense, glossy, dark green, simple, elliptic to oval leaves with crenate margins

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Leaves turn yellow. Persistent crabapples also provide interest

Bark:

Ornamentally insignificant. May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Bark is a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4b - 8b

'Coralcole' is noted for its rounded form, rose colored flowers, and bronze-yellow fruit. 

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract birds and butterflies.

Malus 'Cardinal'

Collections:

Common:

Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Cardinal'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

10-15 ft

Spread:

15-25 ft

Shape:

Rounded Spreading

Bloom:

Purple buds open in spring to very showy pink-magenta-red flowers

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Flowers are followed by small, deep red crabapples that mature in fall and persist into winter. Often eaten by birds

Foliage:

Narrow-ovate leaves emerge purplish-red in spring and mature to a dark green tinged with purple. Very distinctive

Fall:

Leaves turn an attractive red-orange in fall. Persistent crabapples also provide interest

Bark:

Ornamentally insignificant. May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Bark is a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4b - 8b

'Cardinal' is noted for its dark purple-red foliage, magenta-pink flowers, and deep red fruit. It also shows excellent disease resistance.

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract birds and butterflies.

Placeholder Image

Collections:

Common:

Sugar Tyme® Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Sutyzam'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

10-15 ft

Shape:

Oval Upright

Bloom:

Pale pink buds open to abundant, fragrant, white flowers

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Flowers are followed by masses of small, glossy, red fruit (crabapples), which mature in fall and persist into winter. Often eaten by birds

Foliage:

Slender, ovate, glossy, rich green leaves

Fall:

Foliage turns a bronze-yellow in fall. Persistent crabapples also provide interest

Bark:

Ornamentally insignificant. May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Bark is a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8b

'Sutyzam' Sugar Tyme® is noted for its abundant white flowers and persistent red fruit. 

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract birds and butterflies.

Placeholder Image

Collections:

Common:

Flowering Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Spring Snow'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

20-25 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Upright

Bloom:

Masses of slightly fragrant, single, pure white flowers draped in clusters

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Fruitless cultivar

Foliage:

Dense, glossy, bright green, simple, elliptic to oval leaves with crenate margins

Fall:

Leaves turn yellow in fall

Bark:

Ornamentally insignificant. May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Bark is a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

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:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8b

'Spring Snow' is noted for its abundant white flowers and virtually no fruit; making it ideal for locations where fruit would be objectionable.

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract butterflies.

Placeholder Image

Collections:

Common:

Flowering Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Snowdrift'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Rounded Spreading Upright Compact

Bloom:

Red buds open to masses of slightly fragrant single, pure white flowers draped in clusters

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Flowers are followed by abundant orange-red fruit that persist throughout winter. Edible and often eaten by birds

Foliage:

Glossy, bright green, simple, elliptic to oval leaves with crenate margins

Fall:

Leaves turn a golden-yellow, but fall color is not particularly showy. Persistent crabapples also provide interest

Bark:

Ornamentally insignificant. May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Bark is a gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8b

'Snowdrift' is a popular cultivar noted for its rounded form, white flowers, and persistent orange red fruit. 

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract birds and butterflies.

Placeholder Image

Collections:

Common:

Flowering Crabapple

Scientific:

Malus

'Prairiefire'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Pinkish-red buds open to fragrant deep pink-red showy flowers

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Abundant purplish-red fruits (crabapples), which mature in fall and persist into winter. Often eaten by birds

Foliage:

Ovate leaves emerge purplish in spring and mature to a dark green with red tinges

Fall:

Foliage turns orange-gold in fall. Persistent crabapples also provide interest

Bark:

May be grown as multi or single-stemmed. Attractive reddish bark-brown bark

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8b

'Prairifire' is most noted for its abundant deep pink-red flowers and purplish-red fruit. 

Performs best in well-drained, acidic loams, in full sun. Once established, exhibits drought-tolerance. Tolerates air pollution.

Parks recommends planting single stem only when using as a street tree.

May attract birds and butterflies.

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