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:
Common:
Yellow Buckeye
Scientific:
Aesculus octandra
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
50-75 ftSpread:
30-50 ftShape:
Oval Spreading UprightBloom:
Color yellowShowy 0.5"-1" long yellow flowers appear on erect panicles (to 6" long). Generally blooms mid-spring
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color redcolor brownNot necessarily ornamental, but a defining feature of the species. Capsule; 1-2 buckeye(s) encased in leathery light brown husk; smooth unlike Ohio Buckeye. When ripe the buckeye turns red-brown with a light eye
Foliage:
color greenPalmate compound leaves; five spreading, toothed, ovate-oblong leaflets to 4"-7" long; leaves mature to dark green in summer
Fall:
color yellowcolor orangeHas better color than other Aesculus; can be nice yellow or pale orange
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Fall Color, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 8aOther:
ALB HostFormerly known as Aesculus flava.
Less susceptible to foliar diseases compared to other buckeyes.
Collections:
Common:
Fort McNair Red Horsechestnut
Scientific:
Aesculus x carnea
'Fort McNair'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
30-40 ftSpread:
30-40 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color yellow Color pink Color redVery showy rose-red to pink flowers with yellow eyes appear in upright terminal panicles (to 6"-8" long) in mid-spring
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
color brownNot necessarily ornamental, but a defining feature of the species. Capsules (1.5" diameter); typically contains 2-3 nuts. Nuts are poisonous
Foliage:
color greenLeaves emerge bright green and mature to a dark green. Seven (occasionally five) palmate compound leaves with spreading ovate-oblong leaflets 4"-10" long; leaflets have doubly-toothed margins
Fall:
color yellowcolor brownTurns a golden yellow, but may still struggle with foliar diseases
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
ALB Host'Fort McNair' has a smaller, rounder habit than the species and is known for its bold spikes of pink flowers with yellow eyes that rise above the foliage in mid-spring.
Collections:
Common:
Red Horsechestnut
Scientific:
Aesculus x carnea
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
30-40 ftSpread:
25-35 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color redVery showy red to rose-red flowers appear in upright terminal panicles 6"-8" long
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
color brownNot necessarily ornamental, but a defining feature of the species. Capsules (1.5" diameter); typically contains 2-3 nuts. Nuts are poisonous
Foliage:
color greenLeaves emerge bright green and mature to a dark green. Seven (occasionally five) palmate compound leaves with spreading ovate-oblong leaflets 4"-10" long; leaflets have doubly-toothed margins
Fall:
color brownOrnamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
ALB HostA hybrid of A. hippocastanum and A. pavia. Most noted for its showy red flowers.
Common:
Anise Hyssop
Scientific:
Agastache foeniculum
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-4 ftSpread:
1.5-3 ftShape:
Upright ClumpingBloom:
Color blue Color purpleLavender to purple flowers appear in dense, many-flowered verticillasters on showy, cylindrical, terminal flower spikes (3-6" long). Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional blooms
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenDull green ovate to broad-lanceolate leaves with tooth margins. Fragrant; noted for their anise-scent
Fall:
color brownOrnamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
Not availablepH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
4a - 8aOther:
PollinatorTypically found in prairies. Drought tolerant; needs good soil drainage.
Flowers may attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Common:
Giant Hyssop
Scientific:
Agastache rugosa
'Honey Bee Blue'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
Upright ClumpingBloom:
Color blueIntense blue to blue-violet tubular flowers in whorls bloom on erect, salvia-like spikes growing 24-26" tall. Long-lasting. Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional blooms
Blooming period:
Jul - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor bluecolor silverDull grey/blue to green toothed, lance-shaped to ovate leaves grow up to 3" long. Fragrant
Fall:
color brownOrnamentally insignificant. Cut back dead flower and leaf stems in late winter to early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
Not availablepH:
Not availableSoil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
Pollinator'Honey Bee Blue' has intense blue flowers and aromatic gray-green foliage. Drought tolerant.
Flowers may attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Common:
Black Adder Hyssop
Scientific:
Agastache rugosum x foeniculum
'Black Adder'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color red Color blue Color purpleLong-blooming smoky red-violet flowers bloom in bottle-brush, terminal spikes 6-8" long. Flowers emerge from nearly black buds. Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional blooms
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor blueLance-shaped to ovate blue-green leaves. Fragrant; anise-scented
Fall:
color brownBlooms can last into fall up to the first frost. Cut back dead flower and leaf stems in late winter to early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Not availableSoil:
SandMoisture:
MedHardiness:
6a - 9aOther:
Pollinator'Black Adder' is an upright, clump-forming giant hyssop that is a hybrid of A. rugosum and A. foeniculum. It is noted for its long summer-to-frost floral display of smoky red-violet flowers that bloom in showy terminal spikes. Hardy and drought tolerant.
Flowers may attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Collections:
Common:
Caitlins Giant Bugleweed
Scientific:
Ajuga Reptans
'Catlin's Giant'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
0.25-0.75 ftSpread:
1-2 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color blueWhorls of tiny, blue-violet flowers appear in mid to late spring on spikes rising above the foliage to 8"
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor orangeBronze-green foliage that creates a dense mat. Plants may be cut-back to the ground following flowering, if necessary, to rejuvenate the foliage
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 8aOther:
Regionally Invasive'Catlin's Giant' features bronze-green foliage and whorls of blue flowers on spikes up to 8" tall.
Reported as invasive in NY, NJ, PA, and CT. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.
Best foliage occurs in partly-sunny locations, but plant can grow in full shade.
DEP Especially Shady Plan.
Collections:
Common:
Lady's Mantle
Scientific:
Alchemilla mollis
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-1.5 ftSpread:
1.5-2.5 ftShape:
Mounded ClumpingBloom:
Color green Color yellowClusters of star-shaped greenish-yellow flowers appear on stems rising 12-18" above the foliage. Will readily self-seed in optimum growing conditions unless spent flowers are removed
Blooming period:
Jun - JulFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenScallop-edged, toothed, densely hairy, light green leaves are known for their ability to retain beads of moisture following rain
Fall:
Plant will turn brown and overwinters better if the leaves are left on. Remove any brown or crispy leaves come early spring prior to new growth
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
3a - 7aCan be difficult to maintain in urban settings. After bloom, cut back flowers and foliage to allow new fresh growth to appear.
May attract butterflies.
DEP Especially Wet Plan.
Common:
Gladiator Allium
Scientific:
Allium
'Gladiator'Plant type:
BulbHeight:
2.5-3 ftSpread:
0.5-1.5 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color purpleStems, 3'-4' tall, topped with large globular lavender-purple flower heads (6"). Flower heads dry, remaining ornamentally attractive, and persist well into summer.
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor silverStrap-shaped gray-green basal leaves. Smells oniony. Cut-back foliage after it has faded
Fall:
Plant or divide bulbs in fall
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
4a - 10a'Gladiator' is known for its particularly large blooms that are up to 6" in diameter on 3-4' flower stems.
Tolerant of rodents and squirrels. May attract butterflies.
Common:
Globemaster Ornamental Onion
Scientific:
Allium
'Globemaster'Plant type:
BulbHeight:
1.5-2.5 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color silver Color purpleLarge, globular deep lavendar to silver-purple flower heads rise 20-30" tall and are packed with individual star-shaped florets. Flower heads dry, remaining ornamentally attractive, and persist well into summer
Blooming period:
May - JunFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor silverStrap-shaped gray-green basal leaves. Smells oniony. Cut-back foliage after it has faded
Fall:
Plant or divide bulbs in fall
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, LoamMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
5a - 8aOther:
Pollinator'Globemaster' is a sterile hybrid (A. cristophii x A. macleanii) that does not produce seed. It gets its size from its A. cristophii parent, but the florets are packed more densely, creating an imposing and brilliantly colored globe.
Tolerant of rodents and squirrels. May attract butterflies.