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
Collections:
- Roadway Plants
Common:
Yarrow
Scientific:
Achillea
'Moonshine'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-2 ftSpread:
0.75-1 ftShape:
Upright Compact ClumpingBloom:
Color yellowBright lemon-yellow and showy. Flowers appear in dense, flattened, compound corymbs (2"-3" across) on stalks rising 1-2' tall. Long-lasting
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor silverFern-like, silvery to grey-green foliage. Aromatic
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), SandMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 8a'Moonshine' is a hybrid of A. clypeolata x A. 'Taygetea' and is known for its long lasting, bright lemon-yellow flowers. Dead-head to promote longer blooming. May attract butterflies.
Drought tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Protect from strong winds. Plants may be cut back following bloom
Collections:
- Roadway Plants
Common:
Yarrow
Scientific:
Achillea millefolium
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
2-3 ftShape:
Spreading UprightBloom:
Color whiteTiny, long-lasting, white flowers that appear in dense, flattened, compound corymbs (to 2-4” across) throughout the summer on stems typically rising 2-3’ tall
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenFern-like, medium green foliage. Aromatic; strong, spicy aroma that persists when used in dried arrangement
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), SandMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 9aStraight species is less common and typically has lower availability compared to cultivars. Cultivars extend the range of flower colors. Great roadside plant.
Drought tolerant; needs well-drained soils.
Protect from strong winds. Plants may be cut back following bloom.
Collections:
- Roadway Plants
Common:
Yarrow
Scientific:
Achillea millefolium
'Paprika'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1.5-2 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
Spreading UprightBloom:
Color yellow Color pink Color red Color brownDusty-red flowers appear in dense, flattened, compound corymbs (2"-4" across) on stalks rising 1-1.5'. Color may fade to light pink, creamy yellow and brown
Blooming period:
Jun - JulFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenFern-like, medium green foliage. Aromatic; strong, spicy aroma
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), SandMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 10a'Paprika' is known for its tiny, long-lasting, dusty-red flowers with yellow centers. Dead-head to promote longer blooming. May attract butterflies.
Drought tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Protect from strong winds. Plants may be cut back following bloom.
Collections:
- Roadway Plants
Common:
Yarrow
Scientific:
Achillea millefolium
'Montrose Rose'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-1.5 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
Upright CompactBloom:
Color pinkRose-pink blooms appear in dense, flattened, compound corymbs (2"-4" across) on stalks rising 1-1.5'
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenFern-like, medium green foliage. Aromatic; strong, spicy aroma
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), SandMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 10a'Montrose Rose' is known for its rose-pink flowers and compact size. Dead-head to promote longer blooming. May attract butterflies.
Drought tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Protect from strong winds. Plants may be cut back following bloom.
Collections:
- DEP Approved Stormwater Plants
- Wetland Plants
Common:
Variegated Sweet Flag
Scientific:
Acorus calamus
'Variegatus'Plant type:
Perennial, Grass/Grass-likeHeight:
2-2.5 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color greenOrnamentally insignificant
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant. Sterile triploid. Tiny fleshy berries
Foliage:
color greencolor whiteIris-like, sword-shaped leaf blades striped with white and green up to 3/4" wide. Grows in basal clumps. Fragrant when bruised
Fall:
color brownPlant will turn brown and may be cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 10a'Variegatus' features variegated leaf blades that are striped with white and green.
Native to Europe, but has naturalized over time - particularly in the northeast.
Grows best in consistently moist, boggy soils. Spreads via creeping rhizomes.
DEP Residential Plan 2 and Especially Wet Plan.
Collections:
- DEP Approved Stormwater Plants
- Wetland Plants
Common:
Sweet Flag
Scientific:
Acorus calamus
Plant type:
Perennial, Grass/Grass-likeHeight:
2-2.5 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color greenOrnamentally insignificant
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant. Sterile triploid. Tiny fleshy berries
Foliage:
color greenIris-like, sword-shaped green leaf blades up to 3/4" wide; grows in basal clumps. Fragrant when bruised
Fall:
color brownPlant will turn brown and may be cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 10aNative to Europe, but has naturalized over time - particularly in the northeast.
Grows best in consistently moist, boggy soils. Spreads via creeping rhizomes.
DEP Residential Plan 2 and Especially Wet Plan.
Collections:
- Wetland Plants
Common:
Grassy-Leaved Sweet Flag
Scientific:
Acorus gramineus
'Variegatus'Plant type:
Perennial, Grass/Grass-likeHeight:
0.5-1 ftSpread:
0.5-1 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color green Color yellowOrnamentally insignificant. Tiny flowers bloom on lateral, sedge-like flower spikes
Blooming period:
Jun - JulFruit:
color redOrnamentally insignificant. Tiny, reddish, fleshy berries
Foliage:
color greencolor whiteGrass- to iris-like tufts of narrow, variegated leaf blades. Striped with white and green. Fragrant when bruised
Fall:
color greencolor whitecolor brownPlant is semi-evergreen, but will die back in harsher winters
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
5a - 8aMay also be known as Japanese Rush or Japanese Sweet Flag. Native to Asia.
'Variegatus' is a compact cultivar with variegated leaf blades that are striped with white and green.
Marginally aquatic plant; grows best in consistently moist soils. Typically used in rain gardens or near the waters edge - do not let soils dry out.
Common:
Ohio Buckeye
Scientific:
Aesculus glabra
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
20-40 ftSpread:
20-40 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color green Color yellowYellow-green flowers in panicles 4"-7" long; individual flowers 1" wide; least ornamental of the genus
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color brownNot necessarily ornamental, but a defining feature of the species. Prickly pear-shaped capsule, 1"-2" long, encasing a single nut. When ripe, turns a dark brown with a light tan eye. Fruit is poisonous
Foliage:
color greenLeaves emerge as bright green and mature to a deep green by summer. Palmate compound leaves; five spreading ovate-oblong leaflets to 3"-6" long. Leaves emit an unpleasant odor when crushed
Fall:
color yellowcolor redcolor orangeTypically yellow but may develop interesting and attractive shades of orange and red
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Fall Color, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 7aOther:
ALB HostRegional native.
May attract butterflies and migrant birds.
Collections:
Common:
Baumannii Horsechestnut
Scientific:
Aesculus hippocastanum
'Baumannii'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
50-80 ftSpread:
35-60 ftShape:
Oval Rounded UprightBloom:
Color pink Color whiteShowy white (sometimes pink) double flowers that bloom later and last longer
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
color brownThis cultivar is generally fruitless/produces much fewer fruits than the species
Foliage:
color greenTypically leafs out early with leaves emerging bright green and maturing to a deep green. Seven (occasionally five) palmate compound leaves with spreading ovate-oblong leaflets 4"-10" long
Fall:
color yellowcolor brownLeaves are often so scorched/blotched that good fall color isn't possible
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 8aOther:
ALB Host'Baumannii' is a double-flowered cultivar that is primarily distinguished from the species by its later and longer bloom, double white flowers, no fruit, and taller and narrower form.
Generally a better selection than the species for use in NYC due to the improved blooms, narrower stature, and little to no fruit litter.
Collections:
Common:
Horsechestnut
Scientific:
Aesculus hippocastanum
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
50-75 ftSpread:
40-65 ftShape:
Oval Rounded UprightBloom:
Color yellow Color white Color redVery showy, reaching a peak in mid-May; white with some yellow and red at the base. Appear in terminal panicles, 5"-12" long, 2"-5" wide
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
color brownNot necessarily ornamental, but a defining feature of the species. 1-2 horsechestnut(s) encased in leathery light brown husk covered with sharp spines. Fruit is poisonous
Foliage:
color greenTypically leafs out early with leaves emerging bright green and maturing to a deep green. Seven (occasionally five) palmate compound leaves with spreading ovate-oblong leaflets 4"-10" long
Fall:
color yellowcolor brownLeaves are often so scorched/blotched that good fall color isn't possible
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 7bOther:
ALB HostClosely related to the Ohio buckeye; distinguished by having spiny sharp fruits and sticky buds.