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
Common:
Hinoki Cypress
Scientific:
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
50-75 ftSpread:
15-25 ftShape:
PyramidalFruit:
color orangecolor brownSmall orange or brown cones with only 8 scales. Females are brown while males are orange. Found on short stalks
Foliage:
color greenDark green scale-like leaves in two sizes have white markings beneath. Crushed foliage is aromatic
Fall:
No autumn color. Tends to brown in winter
Special Qualities:
Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
UnknownpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 8aAvoid soggy soils.
Common:
Japanese Falsecypress
Scientific:
Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera
'Golden Mop'Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
3-5 ftSpread:
3-5 ftShape:
MoundedFruit:
color brownSmall pea-like brown cones with only 6-8 scales. Found on short stalks, clustered at branch tips. Cone scales are soft and wrinkled
Foliage:
color yellowStringy, whip-like, golden yellow foliage
Fall:
color yellowGolden yellow is maintained throughout the year
Special Qualities:
Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 7a‘Golden Mop’ is known for its mounded, mop head-like form and its golden yellow foliage. Fast growing. Drought tolerant.
Common:
White Cypress
Scientific:
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
30-50 ftSpread:
30-40 ftShape:
ColumnarFruit:
color brownBrown cones which are clustered on small branchlets. Each cone is 0.25" across.
Foliage:
color greenScale-like adult leaves and needle-like juvenile leaves are a soft blue-green.
Fall:
color brownBrown needles persist on branches for several years.
Special Qualities:
Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive BarkSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
SandMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
NativeCollections:
- DEP Approved Stormwater Plants
- Median Plants
Common:
Northern Sea Oats
Scientific:
Chasmanthium latifolium
Plant type:
Grass/Grass-likeHeight:
2-5 ftSpread:
1-2.5 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color greenFlat, drooping seed heads which change in terminal clusters on thread-like pedicels from slightly arching stems
Blooming period:
Aug - SepFoliage:
color greenBright green leaves (5"-9" long). Excellent for dried flower arrangements
Fall:
color brownLeaves turn a coppery color after frost and eventually brown by winter
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
3a - 8aDEP Residential Plan Sun and Dry-Option 2.
Common:
White Turtlehead
Scientific:
Chelone glabra
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
1.5-2.5 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color pink Color whiteHooded, snapdragon-like, two-lipped, white flowers with a tinge of pink appear in tight, spike-like terminal racemes from late summer to autumn. Flowers purportedly resemble turtle heads
Blooming period:
Aug - OctFoliage:
color greenCoarsely-toothed, lance-shaped, dark green leaves
Fall:
Blooms through the fall. See bloom description
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Part Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
LoamMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
3a - 8aOther:
NativeCollections:
Common:
Chinese Fringe Tree
Scientific:
Chionanthus retusus
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
10-20 ftSpread:
10-20 ftShape:
Rounded SpreadingBloom:
Color whitePlants are primarily dioecious, but some plants may have some perfect flowers. Male flowers are slightly showier
Blooming period:
May - JunFruit:
color bluecolor blackFemale flowers (if fertilized) give way to clusters of olive-like fruits (each to 0.5" long) which ripen to a dark bluish-black in late summer/fall and are a good food source for birds and wildlife
Foliage:
color greenLeaves are bright green above and whitish-green plus downy beneath
Fall:
color yellowLeaves turn yellow in fall (reportedly more attractive in northern areas)
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
UnknownpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 9aPossible emerald ash borer (EAB) host.
Common:
Fringe Tree
Scientific:
Chionanthus virginicus
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
12-20 ftSpread:
12-20 ftShape:
SpreadingBloom:
Color whiteSlightly fragrant, spring-blooming flowers which feature airy, terminal, dropping clusters (4"-6" long) of fringe-like, creamy white petals
Blooming period:
May - JunFruit:
color bluecolor blackFemale flowers (if fertilized) give way to clusters of olive-like fruits (each to 0.5" long) which ripen to a dark bluish-black in late summer/fall and are a good food source for birds and wildlife
Foliage:
color greenSimple, elliptic or elongated leaves with acute bases and tips. Each are 3"-8" long and 1.5"-3" wide. This tree is one of the last deciduous plants to leaf out in the spring
Fall:
color yellowLeaves turn yellow in fall
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 9aPossible emerald ash borer (EAB) host.
Common:
Decorative Garden Mum
Scientific:
Chrysanthemum
'Hillside Sheffield Pink'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
2-3 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color yellow Color pinkSingle daisy-like apricot pink flowers with golden yellow centers cover the plant from late summer to frost
Blooming period:
Sep - JunFoliage:
color greenLobed, medium green leaves (to 2" long)
Fall:
Blooms through the fall. See bloom description
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Not availableSoil:
LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 9a'Hillside Sheffield Pink' is known for its beautiful, apricot-colored fragrant flowers with a long bloom period.
Collections:
Common:
Sweetshade Yellowwood
Scientific:
Cladrastis kentukea
'Sweetshade'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
35-45 ftSpread:
40-50 ftShape:
Rounded UprightBloom:
Color whiteIntensely fragrant, wisteria-like, pink flowers in large, drooping, terminal panicles (10-15” long) will cover a mature tree in late spring
Blooming period:
May - JunFruit:
color greencolor brownFlowers give way to flat seed pods (2.5-4” long) that mature in September-October
Foliage:
color greencolor yellowPinnately compound leaves (usually with 7-11 leaflets) open as yellowish green and turn bright green in summer
Fall:
color yellowLeaves turn yellow in the fall
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
NonepH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 8b'Sweetshade' is a medium growing, deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown. Noted for its intensely fragrant large white flowers. However, profuse bloom may occur only once every 2 or 3 years. New trees may not bloom for the first 8-10 years.
Collections:
Common:
Yellowwood
Scientific:
Cladrastis kentukea
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
30-50 ftSpread:
40-55 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color pinkIntensely fragrant, wisteria-like, pink flowers in large, drooping, terminal panicles (10"-15" long) cover a mature tree in late spring
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
color greenFlat seed pods (2.5"-4" long) that mature in September-October
Foliage:
color greenPinnately compound leaves (usually with 7-11 leaflets) open as yellowish-green, turn bright green in summer
Fall:
color yellowcolor orangeSoft mix of yellow, gold and orange. Showy on most trees