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

Weigela

Common:

Weigela

Scientific:

Weigela florida

'Tango'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-2.5 ft

Spread:

2.5-3 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Red, funnel-shaped flowers (to 1.25" long) with yellow throats

Blooming period:

Apr - Jun

Fruit:

Smooth capsule, 2 valved, 1" long. Seeds unwinged

Foliage:

Leaves are greenish-purple above and dark green below

Fall:

Insignificant change in fall color

Bark:

Gray-brown bark with rows of hair between nodes

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8a

'Tango' is noted for its compact size, blooms, and purplish foliage.

Weigela

Common:

Fine Wine® Weigela

Scientific:

Weigela florida

'Bramwell'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-4 ft

Spread:

2-4 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Funnel-shaped, rose pink flowers (each to 1.25" long) bloom profusely in spring, with a sparse and scattered repeat bloom often occurring in mid to late summer

Blooming period:

Apr - Jun

Fruit:

Smooth capsule, 2 valved, 1" long. Seeds unwinged

Foliage:

Burgundy-purple leaves retain good color throughout the growing season. Leaf color purportedly resembles the color of a fine dark wine

Fall:

Insignificant change in fall color

Bark:

Gray-brown bark with rows of hair between nodes

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8a

'Bramwell' is noted for its compact form, pink flowers, and dark burgundy foliage. 

Weigela

Common:

Weigela

Scientific:

Weigela florida

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

6-10 ft

Spread:

9-12 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Funnel-shaped, rose pink flowers (each to 1.25" long) bloom profusely in spring, with a sparse and scattered repeat bloom often occurring in mid to late summer

Blooming period:

Apr - Jun

Fruit:

Smooth capsule, 2 valved, 1" long. Seeds unwinged

Foliage:

Elliptic to ovate, medium green leaves (to 4.5" long) with serrate margins retain good color throughout the growing season

Fall:

Insignificant change in fall color

Bark:

Gray-brown bark with rows of hair between nodes

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8a

Best flowering occurs when grown in full sun. 

 

This is a general image of x Cupressocyparis leylandii, which showcases its full, needle-like foliage and conical shape.

Common:

Leyland Cypress

Scientific:

x Cupressocyparis leylandii

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

60-70 ft

Spread:

10-15 ft

Shape:

Pyramidal Columnar

Bloom:

Non-flowering

Fruit:

Dark brown fruiting cones (to 0.75" across), each with 8 scales

Foliage:

Flattened sprays of gray-green foliage on slender upright branches

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Bark:

Scaly, reddish-brown bark

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

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, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

6a - 10a

Other:

Fall Dig Safe
This is an image of multiple Yucca filamentosa ('Golden Sword' cultivar) planted in rows along a median, which are vibrantly green and yellow.

Common:

Golden Sword Yucca

Scientific:

Yucca filamentosa

'Golden Sword'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

4-6 ft

Spread:

2-3 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Ivory bell shaped flowers; Tall inflorescence of ivory bell flowers. Blooming is best in full sun, after establishment

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Elliptical dehiscent capsules

Foliage:

Gold-centered variegated leaf spikes. Green margins with striking creamy gold centers; Basal rosette of rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped variegated leaves

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, 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:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

4a - 10a

"Golden Sword' is noted for its sword-like leaves that are boldly striped with green and creamy yellow. 

This is a general image of a common Yucca filamentosa plant, with its long and sword-like leaves growing within a garden bed.

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

Adam's Needle

Scientific:

Yucca filamentosa

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

4-8 ft

Spread:

2-3 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Flowering stalks rise from the center of each rosette, typically to 5'-8' tall, but infrequently to 12' tall, bearing a long terminal panicle of nodding bell-shaped creamy white flowers

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Elliptical dehiscent capsules

Foliage:

Basal rosette of rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped green leaves (to 30" long and to 4" wide) with long filamentous (as per specific epithet) curly threads along the margins. Leaves form a foliage clump to 2'-3' tall

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, 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:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5a - 10a

Grows best in full sun. Tolerant of urban conditions

This is an image of a young Yucca filamentosa ('Color Guard' cultivar) plant, which is variegated with green and yellow, each leaf radiating outwards.

Common:

Color Guard Adam's Needle

Scientific:

Yucca filamentosa

'Color Guard'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-6 ft

Spread:

2-3 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Ivory bell shaped flowers; Tall inflorescence of ivory bell flowers. Blooming is best in full sun, after establishment

Blooming period:

Jun - Sep

Foliage:

Gold-centered variegated leaf spikes. Green margins with striking creamy gold centers; Basal rosette of rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped variegated leaves

Fall:

No significant change in fall color

Special Qualities:

Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun Only

Salt:

High

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

4a - 10a

'Color Guard' is noted for its variegated leaves with gold centers and green margins.

Sometimes referred to as Yucca flaccida 'Color Guard'.

This is a general image of Zelkova serrata ('Schmidtlow' cultivar), with a leafy green canopy on a sidewalk, protected by a black metal gate.

Collections:

  • Rapid Growth Plants

Common:

Wireless® Japanese Zelkova

Scientific:

Zelkova serrata

'Schmidtlow'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

20-24 ft

Spread:

30-36 ft

Shape:

Vase-Like

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Mar - Apr

Fruit:

Small, non-showy, ovate, wingless drupes that ripen in autumn

Foliage:

Oblong-elliptic medium green leaves (to 3" long) with coarse, ciliate marginal teeth and acuminate tips

Fall:

Rusty red fall color

Bark:

Smooth gray bark in youth exfoliates with age to reveal orange-brown inner bark

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

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:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5b - 8a

Other:

ALB Safe, Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

'Schmidtlow' is known for its low height and broad spreading shape; ideal for street plantings under utility lines.

Reported as invasive in NJ

A general image of Zelkova serrata ('Village Green' cultivar) in a small, fenced area, focusing on the trees rounded canopy and green foliage.

Common:

Village Green Japanese Zelkova

Scientific:

Zelkova serrata

'Village Green'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

40-60 ft

Spread:

30-50 ft

Shape:

Vase-Like

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Mar - Apr

Fruit:

Small, non-showy, ovate, wingless drupes that ripen in autumn

Foliage:

Oblong-elliptic medium green leaves (to 3" long) with coarse, ciliate marginal teeth and acuminate tips

Fall:

Rusty red fall color

Bark:

Smooth gray bark in youth exfoliates with age to reveal orange-brown inner bark

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

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:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5b - 8a

Other:

Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

'Village Green' is noted for its upright vase shape, dark green foliage with rusty red fall color, and good resistance to leaf-eating and bark beetles. Also noted as being more cold tolerant and a higher tolerance for wind, pollution, drought, and compacted soils.  

Reported as invasive in NJ

Variegata Japanese Zelkova

Common:

Variegata Japanese Zelkova

Scientific:

Zelkova serrata

'Variegata'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

10-15 ft

Shape:

Vase-Like

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Mar - Apr

Fruit:

Small, non-showy, ovate, wingless drupes that ripen in autumn

Foliage:

Oblong-elliptic medium green leaves (to 3" long) with coarse, ciliate marginal teeth and acuminate tips. Leaves are white rimmed

Fall:

Fall color is variable, ranging from undistinguished yellow to attractive shades of yellow-orange to red-brown

Bark:

Smooth gray bark in youth exfoliates with age to reveal orange-brown inner bark

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive Bark

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:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5b - 8a

Other:

Fall Dig Safe, Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

'Variegata' is noted for its striking leaves that are dark green with creamy white margins.

Reported as invasive in NJ

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