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:
Black Chokeberry
Scientific:
Aronia melanocarpa
Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
3-6 ftSpread:
3-6 ftShape:
Rounded Spreading UprightBloom:
Color whiteSmall clusters of white 5-petaled flowers
Blooming period:
MayFruit:
color purplecolor blackHeavy clusters of purplish-black berries ripen in late summer to early fall and persist well into winter. Edible; unappetizing to birds
Foliage:
color greenLeaves emerge a medium green and turn a deep, glossy green as the season progresses. Elliptic to obovate, growing 2"-3" long, with finely toothed margins
Fall:
color redcolor purpleLeaves turn an attractive purple/red in fall. Black berries also emerge in the fall and feature prominently
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive Foliage, Fall ColorLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, Fall, WinterLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, Clay, Heavy ClayMoisture:
Dry to WetHardiness:
3a - 8aOther:
Native, PollinatorBest flowering, fruiting, and fall color occur in full sun. Plant will sucker profusely.
Performs well in the right-of-way.
Common:
Wild Ginger
Scientific:
Asarum canadense
Plant type:
Perennial, GroundcoverHeight:
0.5-1 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
Spreading MoundedBloom:
Color purple Color brownCup-shaped, purplish-brown flowers (1" wide). Attractive, but typically hidden by the foliage
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color brownOrnamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenTwo downy, heart- or kidney-shaped, veined, dark green, basal leaves grow up to 6" wide
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Part Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 6aOther:
NativeIdeal groundcover, but a slow-grower. Prefers moist, acidic soils in heavy shade.
Stems and roots when crushed smell like ginger, although it is not related to culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Eaten by the pipevine swallowtail butterfly.
Common:
Poke Milkweed
Scientific:
Asclepias exaltata
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
3-5 ftSpread:
1-2 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color green Color pink Color white Color purpleFlowers are bicolored. Umbels with multiple flowers weep down with each flower on a long pedicel. Petals are green or pale purple, while the hoods and column are white or light pink. Aromatic
Blooming period:
Jun - AugFruit:
color brownErect seedpods (follicles) that are up to 6" long and 0.75" across. They are narrowly lanceoloid in shape. Seeds are released during the fall
Foliage:
color greenOpposite pairs of medium to dark green and glabrous leaves about 3-8" long and 1-3" across occur along the stem. They are lanceolate-elliptic to ovate and smooth along their margins
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 7aOther:
Native, PollinatorThrives in dappled or indirect sunlight.
Attracts bumblebees and butterflies (host plant for the monarch butterfly).
Common:
Swamp Milkweed
Scientific:
Asclepias incarnata
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
4-5 ftSpread:
2-3 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color pink Color white Color purpleSmall, fragrant, pink to mauve flowers (uncommonly white), each with five reflexed petals and an elevated central crown appear in tight clusters at the ends of stems in summer
Blooming period:
Jul - AugFruit:
color brownAttractive seed pods (to 4" long) which split open when ripe releasing silky-haired seeds easily carried by the wind
Foliage:
color greenFoliage is slow to emerge in spring. Slender willow like, narrow, lance-shaped green leaves grow 3-6" long
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to WetHardiness:
3a - 6aOther:
Native, PollinatorAttractive to butterflies, bees, and wasps. Host plant for the monarch butterfly.
Stems and leaves contain a milky sap that exudes when plants are damaged.
High tolerance of soil compaction. While tolerant of drought, prefers sunny sites with moist or saturated soils.
Common:
Purple Milkweed
Scientific:
Asclepias purpurascens
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
1-3 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color pink Color red Color purpleTiny, deep rose-pink-purple flowers appear in many-flowered umbels. Each tiny flower (to 0.75" long) has 5 reflexed petals and 5 purple heads
Blooming period:
May - JunFruit:
color brownFlowers give way to smooth seed pods (up to 6" long) which split open when ripe releasing their numerous silky-tailed seeds for dispersal by the wind
Foliage:
color greenHeavy, pointed, short-stalked, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, opposite dark green leaves (to 8" long)
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to WetHardiness:
3a - 8aOther:
Native, PollinatorSimilar to common milkweed (A. syriaca), except its flowers are a deep rose pink and its leaves are more pointed.
Attractive to butterflies, bees, and wasps. Host plant for the monarch butterfly.
Performs well in poor, dry soils and is drought tolerant.
Common:
Common Milkweed
Scientific:
Asclepias syriaca
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-6.5 ftSpread:
0.75-1 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color pink Color white Color purpleDomed, slightly drooping clusters (umbels) of fragrant, pinkish-purple (rarely white) flowers appear mostly in the upper leaf axils, usually with 2-5 clusters per plant
Blooming period:
Jun - AugFruit:
color greencolor brownFlowers give way to prominent, green warty seed pods (2-4" long) which split open when ripe releasing their numerous silky-tailed seeds for dispersal by the wind
Foliage:
color greencolor whiteSingle-stemmed with thick, broad-oblong, reddish-veined, light green leaves (up to 6" long) with a lighter, sometimes white underside
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 9aOther:
Native, PollinatorTolerant of fill soils, disturbance, and concrete debris. Easily grown and fast to establish. Often forms colonies in the wild.
Attractive to butterflies, bees, and wasps. Host plant for the monarch butterfly.
Stems and leaves contain a milky sap that exudes when plants are damaged.
Collections:
Common:
Butterfly Weed
Scientific:
Asclepias tuberosa
'Hello Yellow'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1.5-3 ftSpread:
1-2 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color yellowFlat-topped clusters of bright yellow flowers atop upright to reclining, hairy stems. Deadheading may promote another bloom.
Blooming period:
Jul - AugFruit:
color brownAttractive spindle-shaped seed pods (3"-6" long) which split open when ripe, typically in fall, releasing silky-tailed seeds for dispersal by the wind
Foliage:
color greenNarrow, lance-shaped, medium to dark green leaves
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 9aOther:
Native, Pollinator'Hello Yellow' is noted for its bright yellow flowers.
Attractive to butterflies, bees, and wasps. Host plant for the monarch butterfly.
DEP Full Sun Plan 1
Collections:
Common:
Butterfly Weed
Scientific:
Asclepias tuberosa
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-3 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
Upright ClumpingBloom:
Color yellow Color orangeClusters of bright orange to yellow-orange flowers atop upright to reclining, hairy stems
Blooming period:
Jun - AugFruit:
color brownSpindle-shaped seed pods (3"-6" long) which split open when ripe releasing silky-tailed seeds for dispersal by the wind
Foliage:
color greenNarrow, lance-shaped, medium to dark green leaves
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 9aOther:
Native, PollinatorAdapted to coarse and medium soils, but no tolerance of soil compaction. Performs best in dry, open habitats, in full sun. Slow to establish. New growth emerges late in spring.
Attractive to butterflies, bees, and wasps. Host plant for the monarch butterfly.
DEP Full Sun Plan 1.
Common:
Whorled Milkweed
Scientific:
Asclepias verticillata
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-2.5 ftSpread:
1-2 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color green Color whiteFlowers bloom in small flat-topped clusters in the upper leaf axils and stem ends. Greenish-white flowers are fragrant
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
color brownFlowers give way to smooth, narrow seed pods (up to 3" long) which split open when ripe, typically in the fall, releasing numerous silky-tailed seeds
Foliage:
color greenSingle-stemmed, unbranched, with long, narrow, sessile, needle-like, linear leaves (each 2-3" long) in whorls of 3 to 6 at each node along the stems
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
NonepH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, LoamMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
4a - 9aOther:
Native, PollinatorFlowers best in full sun. Performs best in well-drained, sandy loams. Drought tolerant.
Attractive to butterflies, bees, and wasps. Host plant for the monarch butterfly.
Common:
Green Comet Milkweed
Scientific:
Asclepias viridiflora
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-3 ftSpread:
0.25-1 ftShape:
UprightBloom:
Color greenFlowers occur in two inch clusters (nodding umbels) in the upper leaf axils. Each cluster contains 20-80 greenish flowers
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
color greencolor brownNarrow, upright, smooth, green seedpods are about 4" long and pointed at both ends
Foliage:
color greenStems are typically solitary or in pairs and bear opposite leaves growing up to 4" long. Leaves may vary in shape depending on soil moisture, but are short-pubescent to nearly glaborous, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate and medium green
Fall:
Seed pod provides ornamental interest. Cut to the ground in early spring
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry/DroughtHardiness:
3a - 9bOther:
Native, PollinatorBroken leaves and stems produce a milky latex.
Attractive to butterflies, bees, and wasps. Host plant for the monarch butterfly.