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 Bouteloua gracilis within a grassy median.

Common:

Blue Grama

Scientific:

Bouteloua gracilis

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like

Height:

1-1.25 ft

Spread:

1.5-2 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Culms rise above the foliage bearing horizontal green and purple tinged flower spikes

Blooming period:

Jul - Oct

Fruit:

After flowering, tan seed spikes appear and persist into winter

Foliage:

Narrow, green-bluish-gray leaf blades (to 0.25" wide) typically form a dense clump growing 12-15" tall

Fall:

Foliage turns golden brown in autumn, sometimes also developing interesting hues of orange and red. Cut back to the ground in early spring

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

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:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

Other:

Native

Low-growing and compact ornamental grass that tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they are well-drained.

A full image of a bunch of Brunnera macrophylla within a garden bed, bordering a city street.

Collections:

Common:

Siberian Bugloss

Scientific:

Brunnera macrophylla

'Jack Frost'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

1-1.5 ft

Spread:

1-1.5 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Small, blue forget-me-not-like flowers with white to yellow centers bloom in airy racemes rising well above the foliage (up to 18") on slender stems

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Attractive, large, heart-shaped, variegated leaves. Silvery-white leaves with green primary and secondary veins and a thin green rim around the edges

Fall:

Plant will naturally die back. Do not cut-back to the ground, but old leaves should be removed in the spring when new growth emerges

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Part Sun to Full Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 8a

‘Jack Frost’ is primarily known for its distinctive silvery-white and green variegated foliage. A great plant for shady locations.

DEP Especially Wet Plan.

Boxwood

Common:

Green Velvet Boxwood

Scientific:

Buxus

'Green Velvet'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-4 ft

Spread:

3-4 ft

Shape:

Compact Mounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Opposite, glossy, dark green evergreen leaves. Tolerant of pruning and shearing, which should only occur after the last spring frost

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 to Part Shade

Salt:

Unknown

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8a

A hybrid of B. sempervirens and B microphylla var. koreana. ‘Green Velvet’ is a broad-mounded, compact form of boxwood.

Plant performs best in part shade and when sheltered from strong winds. Will grow in full shade, but is less attractive. Leaves may scorch or bronze during winter if grown in full sun. Has demonstrated some susceptibility to blight.

An image of the Calamagrostis x acutiflora ('Karl Foerester' cultivar) grass, displaying its wheat hues and green base.

Common:

Karl Foerester Feather Reed Grass

Scientific:

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

'Karl Foerester'

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like

Height:

3-5 ft

Spread:

1.5-2.5 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Pinkish-purple feathery plumes, rising well above the foliage, turn golden over summer and persist through winter

Blooming period:

May - Nex Feb

Fruit:

Flowers are followed by golden seeds which mature to tan and often persist into winter

Foliage:

Bright green, flattened, narrow, elegantly arched leaves

Fall:

Spent flowers and seeds turn brown and may be kept providing both fall and winter interest. Cut plant back to the ground in late winter/early spring prior to new growth

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay, Heavy Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

5a - 9a

A hybrid of C. arundinacea and C. epigejos.

'Karl Forester' is one of the most popular ornamental grasses available. It is generally noted for its narrow-vertical growth, feathery plumes of summer-blooming pink to purple tinged flowers, and overall ease of care.

Calamintha nepeta 'white cloud'

Common:

White Cloud Lesser Calamint

Scientific:

Calamintha nepeta

'White Cloud'

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

1-2 ft

Spread:

1-2 ft

Shape:

Upright

Bloom:

Fragrant, tiny white tubular flowers on sturdy upright stems lasting from summer to the first frost. Shear back the first flush of flowers when they fade to encourage more blooms

Blooming period:

Jun - Oct

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Small brown pods containing multiple light brown seeds

Foliage:

Green leaves that release a minty scent when brushed

Fall:

Long blooming flowers provide fall interest. Cut back to 6" in fall when foliage declines or in early spring before new growth

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5a - 9a

Other:

Pollinator

'White Cloud' is larger and showier than the species, and noted for its bright white flowers. Resistant to rodents. Tolerates some drought and prefers well-drained soil. Shear back annually

Attractive to bees and butterflies.

Calamint

Common:

Lesser Calamint

Scientific:

Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

1-1.5 ft

Spread:

1-2 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Tiny, tubular, two-lipped, lilac to white flowers appear on upright stems rising above the foliage

Blooming period:

Jun - Oct

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Small rounded pods containing multiple light brown seeds

Foliage:

Ovate, gray-green leaves that give off a strong mint scent when crushed or bruised

Fall:

Long blooming flowers provide fall interest. Cut back to 6" when foliage declines or in early spring prior to new growth

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

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:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

5a - 7a

Other:

Pollinator

Subsp. nepeta is a more vigorous performer with slightly larger flowers, larger inflorescences (to 20 flowers) and larger leaves (to 1.25” long). 

Resistant to rodents. Tolerates some drought; prefers well-drained soil. Shear back annually.

Attractive to bees and butterflies.

Beautyberry

Common:

Early Amethyst Beautyberry

Scientific:

Callicarpa dichotoma

'Early Amethyst'

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

3-4 ft

Spread:

4-5 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Clusters of small, pink to lavender flowers bloom in the leaf axils. Blooms occur on new wood

Blooming period:

Jun - Aug

Fruit:

Extremely showy amethyst-purple berries ripen in late summer, earlier than the species, and persist past leaf drop

Foliage:

Elliptic to obovate medium leaves (1"-3" long)

Fall:

Leaves turn yellow providing a nice contrast to the purple berries. Shear back in late winter or early spring to promote the best flower and berry production

Bark:

Slender, gray-brown (with a slight purple tinge) arching stems

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

None

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8a

Other:

Pollinator, Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

'Early Amethyst' is known for its fruit ripening earlier than the species and persisting past leaf drop.

Best flowering and fruit occurs in full sun and when plants are massed together.

Should only be planted in contained areas. Caution must be exercised when planting near a Forever Wild or other natural area. 

Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies.

Beautyberry

Common:

Purple Beautyberry

Scientific:

Callicarpa dichotoma

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

2-4 ft

Spread:

3-5 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Clusters of small, pink to lavender flowers bloom in the leaf axils. Blooms occur on new wood

Blooming period:

Jun - Aug

Fruit:

Extremely showy lilac-violet berries, each 1/8" diameter. Ripen in September and put on their best show through October

Foliage:

Elliptic to obovate medium green leaves (1"-3" long)

Fall:

Leaves turn yellow providing a nice contrast to the purple berries. Shear back in late winter or early spring to promote the best flower and berry production

Bark:

Slender, gray-brown (with a slight purple tinge) arching stems

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

None

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

5a - 8a

Other:

Pollinator, Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

Should only be planted in contained areas. Caution must be exercised when planting near a Forever Wild or other natural area. 

Best flowers and berries occur in full sun and when multiple plants are massed together. Some drought tolerance, but grows best in average, medium, well-drained soil.

Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies.

An overhead image of the Callicarpa japonica plant, highlighting its purple and light-green berries, and green leaves.

Common:

Japanese Beautyberry

Scientific:

Callicarpa japonica

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

4-6 ft

Spread:

4-6 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Clusters of small, pink to white flowers. Blooms occur on new wood

Blooming period:

Jun - Jul

Fruit:

Extremely showy, large clusters of bright, glossy, violet to purple fruits (each 1/6" diameter) which ripen in late summer and persist past leaf drop into winter

Foliage:

Elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, finely toothed, medium green leaves (3"-5" long) with acuminate tips

Fall:

Yellow or greenish yellow with a purplish cast provides a great contrast to the purple berries. Shear back in late winter or early spring to promote best flower and fruit production the following year

Bark:

Slender, gray-brown, arching stems

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Fall Color

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 - 8a

Other:

Emerging or Reported Invasive (locally)

Should only be planted in contained areas. Caution must be exercised when planting near a Forever Wild or other natural area. 

Best flowering and fruit production occurs in full sun and when plants are massed together.

Attracts birds.

Caltha palustris

Common:

Marsh Marigold

Scientific:

Caltha palustris

Plant type:

Perennial

Height:

1-1.5 ft

Spread:

1-1.5 ft

Shape:

Mounded

Bloom:

Large, showy, buttercup-like bright yellow flowers (1-2" diameter) with 5-9 waxy deep yellow petal-like sepals

Blooming period:

Apr - Jun

Fruit:

Flowers give way to flattened seed pods which split open when ripe

Foliage:

Long-stalked, rounded to heart-shaped, glossy green basal leaves (up to 7" across)

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Wet/Flood

Hardiness:

3a - 7a

Other:

Native

Good plant for Stormwater Management Practices. Blooms best when planted in full sun, but the plant may go dormant in harsh summers without afternoon shade.

Plant is poisonous - do not eat any part of this plant raw. Leaves and flower buds are edible in small quantities if prepared properly.

May attract flies and bees.

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