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

Sweetshrub

Common:

Sweetshrub

Scientific:

Calycanthus floridus

Plant type:

Shrub

Height:

6-10 ft

Spread:

6-12 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Very fragrant, brown to reddish-brown solitary flowers with strap-like petals

Blooming period:

May - Jun

Fruit:

Urn-shaped capsules mature in fall and persist into winter

Foliage:

Dark green (pale green beneath), lustrous, ovate leaves growing up to 6" long. Fragrant when bruised

Fall:

Golden yellow, but not particularly showy

Bark:

Smooth gray-brown bark. Fragrant when bruised

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 9b

Use as a specimen near areas trafficked by pedestrians to enjoy aroma of fragrant flowers. 

Tends to sucker and may get leggy. Grows taller in shaded locations.

Plant is poisonous.

An image of the Carex appalachica grass, which is green and abundant on a sidewalk.

Common:

Appalachia Sedge

Scientific:

Carex appalachica

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like, Groundcover

Height:

1-1.5 ft

Spread:

0.5-1 ft

Shape:

Mounded Clumping

Bloom:

Flowers are inconspicuous and wispy

Blooming period:

May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Leaves are deep green and very fine textured, almost hair-like. Very attractive foliage that moves almost like water in thw ind

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Cut to the ground in late winter

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Part Sun to Full Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3a - 7a

Other:

Native, Pollinator

Particularly useful plant for dry, shaded areas. Will tolerate most conditions, except poorly drained soil.

Host to some butterflies.

Carex bicknellii

Common:

Prairie Sedge

Scientific:

Carex bicknellii

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like, Groundcover

Height:

1.5-3 ft

Spread:

1.5-2 ft

Shape:

Upright

Bloom:

Scaly, green, oval flower clusters on leafy culms rising well above the foliage (up to 3')

Blooming period:

Apr - Jul

Fruit:

Flower clusters transition into coppery brown seed heads

Foliage:

Leaf blades are up to 10" long and about 1/8" wide. They are upright, lime green and smooth

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Cut to the ground in late winter

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 7a

Other:

Native

Upland sedge that performs best in sunny sites with dry, average, or moist soil. Will decline if shaded by nearby plants.

May attract birds.

 

Bowles' golden sedge

Common:

Bowles' Golden Sedge

Scientific:

Carex elata

'Aurea'

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like

Height:

1.5-2.5 ft

Spread:

1.5-2.5 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Greenish flower spikes appear on triangular stems and quickly turn brown

Blooming period:

May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Slender, hairlike, iridescent foliage that shimmers in slight breezes. Yellow with dark green margins

Fall:

No significant change in color. Plant is evergreen to semi-evergreen; remove dead leaves in late winter or cut back to the ground in early spring

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:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

5a - 9a

'Aurea' has shimmering yellow leaves with dark green margins. 

Can be grown in shallow water (2-3' deep), but does not perform well in full shade.

Leaf icon

Common:

Gray's Sedge

Scientific:

Carex grayi

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like

Height:

2-3 ft

Spread:

1.5-2 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Unique, star-like, pale green flowers that resemble medieval spiked clubs rise above the foliage

Blooming period:

May - Oct

Fruit:

Spiked flowers turn to attractive seed heads that are a chocolate brown and persist well into winter

Foliage:

Grass-like, shiny, medium green leaves that are up to 1/2" wide

Fall:

No significant change in color with spiked seed heads also providing fall and winter interest. Plant is semi-evergreen; remove dead leaves in late winter or cut to the ground in early spring to allow for new foliage

Special Qualities:

Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

5a - 9b

Other:

Native

Good plant for Stormwater Management Practices. Grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade.

May attract birds.

Sallow sedge

Collections:

Common:

Shallow Sedge

Scientific:

Carex lurida

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like

Height:

1.5-3 ft

Spread:

1-2 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Stiff triangular culms rise above the foliage bearing chartreuse bottlebrush shaped spikes

Blooming period:

May - Sep

Fruit:

Attractive warm yellow-brown seed spikes clustered in a long oval-like form; resemble sweetgum balls and persist

Foliage:

Grass-like leaves are narrow and bright green-yellow growing about 1' long. Generally tufted with a fountain like habit

Fall:

Ornamentally insignificant. Remove dead leaves in early spring to allow for new foliage

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 8a

Other:

Native, Pollinator

DEP Residential Plan Sun and Dry-Option 1. Grows best in wet to moist soil.

Host to some butterflies.

An image of the Carex morrowii ('Ice Dance' cultivar) within a planter, emphasizing the variegated grass blades.

Collections:

Common:

Ice Dance Japanese Sedge

Scientific:

Carex morrowii

'Ice Dance'

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like

Height:

0.75-1 ft

Spread:

1-2 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr - Jul

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Grass-like, arching, shinny, dark green leaves with bright white edges

Fall:

No significant change in color; plant is semi-evergreen. Remove dead leaves or cut to the ground in late winter to make way for new foliage

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

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:

5a - 9a

'Ice Dance' is noted for its grass-like foliage that is dark green in the center with clean white borders.

DEP Urban Plan 1 and Especially Shady Plan.

Carex muskingumensis

Common:

Palm Sedge

Scientific:

Carex muskingumensis

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like, Groundcover

Height:

2-3 ft

Spread:

2-3 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Flowers appear on terminal spikes which are not showy but provide some interest

Blooming period:

May - Sep

Fruit:

Flower clusters transition into coppery brown seed heads that persist throughout the summer

Foliage:

Grass-like, bright green leaves radiating from the stem; resemble palm fronds

Fall:

Foliage turns an attractive yellow-coppery color before going dormant for the winter. Cut back to the ground in late winter

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

Can grow in shallow water and performs best in continually moist to wet, fertile soils in full sun or light shade.

Sedge

Collections:

  • Median Plants

Common:

Evergold Japanese Sedge

Scientific:

Carex oshimensis

'Evergold'

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like

Height:

0.75-1 ft

Spread:

1-1.5 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Brownish flower spikes appear on triangular stems

Blooming period:

May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant

Foliage:

Attractive, arching, narrow, grass-like foliage with yellow-cream-white center stripe and dark green margins

Fall:

No significant change in color. Plant is evergreen to semi-evergreen - remove dead leaves in late winter

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Part Sun Only

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

5a - 9a

'Evergold' is noted for its grass-like foliage of butter-yellow-striped leaves with dark green-edges. 

An image of a bunch of Carex pensylvanica grass, displaying it atop mulch and surrounding shrubs.

Collections:

  • Median Plants
  • Roadway Plants

Common:

Pennsylvania Sedge

Scientific:

Carex pensylvanica

Plant type:

Grass/Grass-like, Groundcover

Height:

0.5-1 ft

Spread:

0.5-1 ft

Shape:

Clumping

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Flowers bloom in inflorescences atop rough, sharply triangular stems rising above the foliage

Blooming period:

May

Fruit:

Female flowers are followed by tiny fruits enclosed in sac-like bracts

Foliage:

Soft, delicate, fine-textured, arching, glossy, bright green leaves

Fall:

No significant change in color. Plant is semi-evergreen

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Evergreen

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Light:

Part Sun to Full Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3a - 8a

Other:

Native

Unlike most sedges, prefers dry, loose loams. Performs best in sun-dappled, part shade.

May attract birds.

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