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

This is an image of a young Zelkova serrata ('Mushashino' cultivar) tree, with bright green leaves and a straight trunk, established on a sidewalk.

Collections:

Common:

Musashino Japanese Zelkova

Scientific:

Zelkova serrata

'Musashino'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

10-45 ft

Spread:

10-15 ft

Shape:

Vase-Like Columnar

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:

Fall Dig Safe, Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

'Musachino' is noted for its narrow, vase-like form making it ideal for planting along narrow city streets and other confined areas. 

Reported as invasive in NJ

This is an image of Zelkova serrata ('Green Vase' cultivar), which has green and serrated leaves and is adjacent to parked cars.

Collections:

Common:

Green Vase Japanese Zelkova

Scientific:

Zelkova serrata

'Green Vase'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

60-80 ft

Spread:

40-50 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:

Orange-bronze 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:

Fall Dig Safe, Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

'Green Vase' is noted for its narrower upright, vase-shaped crown, paler green foliage, and for its orange-bronze fall color. 

Reported as invasive in NJ

This is a general image of the common Zelkova serrata, emphasis on its vase-shaped canopy and dense, green foliage, all located along a sidewalk.

Collections:

Common:

Japanese Zelkova

Scientific:

Zelkova serrata

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

50-80 ft

Spread:

50-80 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:

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:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5b - 8a

Other:

Fall Dig Safe, Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

Tolerant of urban pollution and high winds.

Reported as invasive in NJ

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