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:
Deutschland Astilbe
Scientific:
Astilbe
'Deutschland'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1.5-2 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
MoundedBloom:
Color whiteTiny white flowers densely packed into erect or slightly arching, plume-like flower panicles rising above the foliage on slender upright stems
Blooming period:
May - JunFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greenGraceful, fern-like mounds of mostly basal, 2-3 ternately compound, glossy green leaves, usually with sharply-toothed leaflets
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant. Plant will naturally die back in fall
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Part Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 9a‘Deutschland’ features a foliage mound (to 18” tall) of lustrous green leaves and upright panicles of pure white flowers on stems rising to 2’ tall in late spring.
Wonderful flowering plant for shady and moist locations.
DEP Especially Shady Plan.
Collections:
Common:
Vision in Red Astilbe
Scientific:
Astilbe Chinensis
'Vision in Red'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1.5-2 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
MoundedBloom:
Color red Color purpleTiny dark purplish-red flowers densely packed into erect or slightly arching, plume-like flower panicles rising above the foliage
Blooming period:
Jun - JulFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color greencolor purplecolor brownGraceful, fern-like mounds of mostly basal, 2-3 ternately, bronze to dark green compound leaves (sharply-toothed leaflets) with dark purple stems and petioles
Fall:
Ornamentally insignificant. Plant will naturally die back in fall
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Part Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 8a‘Vision in Red’ is an upright cultivar that forms a foliage mound (to 12” tall) of dark green leaves with dark purple stems and petioles. Dark purplish-red flowers in thick panicles bloom in late spring to early summer atop branching stems rising to 28” tall.
More drought, heat, and sun tolerant than other Astilbe species.
DEP Especially Shady Plan.
Common:
Japanese Painted Fern
Scientific:
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
Plant type:
GroundcoverHeight:
1-1.5 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Species does not flower
Fruit:
Ornamentally insignificant. Spore-bearing sori form on the underside of the pinnae
Foliage:
color greencolor silvercolor brownSlowly spreading clump of triangular, variegated fronds to 20" long. Fronds are soft grayish-green with silvery hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs
Fall:
Plant typically goes dormant following the first frost. Leaves may be trimmed to the ground in late fall or early spring
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Part Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 8aBest color occurs in light shade as excess sunlight washes out the color. First fronds of spring are the most silvery.
Collections:
- Rapid Growth Plants
Common:
Eastern Baccharis
Scientific:
Baccharis halimifolia
Plant type:
Trees, ShrubHeight:
5-12 ftSpread:
4-8 ftShape:
Rounded UprightBloom:
Color whiteDioecious. Small heads of white flowers in stalked clusters that form terminal leafy inflorescences
Blooming period:
Aug - OctFruit:
color whitecolor silverFertile heads are showy, cottony plume-like achene that persist into early winter. Resemble silver paintbrushes. Seeds of the female plant are poisonous
Foliage:
color greencolor silverDeep green to gray-green leaves. Alternately arranged, coarsely toothed above the middle of the leaf, with the uppermost leaves having smooth margins
Fall:
Typically a large shrub or small multi-stemmed tree. Plant is semi-evergreen, with the naked stems remaining slightly green throughout the winter
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy FruitLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
HighpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to WetHardiness:
5b - 8aOther:
NativeTolerant of soil compaction and concrete debris. Good plant for Stormwater Management Practices.
Common:
Blue False Indigo
Scientific:
Baptisia australis
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
3-4 ftSpread:
3-4 ftShape:
Mounded ClumpingBloom:
Color blue Color purpleBlue-purple, lupine-like flowers in erect racemes (to 12") atop flower spikes extending well above the foliage
Blooming period:
May - JunFruit:
color blackFlowers give way to inflated seed pods (up to 2.5" long) which turn charcoal black when ripe
Foliage:
color greencolor blueClover-like, trifoliate, bluish-green leaves (leaflets to 2" long)
Fall:
color silverIn late fall the plant turns a silvery-gray. Black seedpods provide ornamental interest if left in place
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Showy Fruit, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, SummerLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Dry to MedHardiness:
3a - 9aOther:
NativeSlow plant to establish - may take many years, but very tough afterwards. Tolerates drought and poor soil conditions.
May attract butterflies.
Collections:
Common:
HERITAGE™ River Birch
Scientific:
Betula nigra
'Cully'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
40-70 ftSpread:
40-60 ftShape:
Oval Pyramidal Columnar UprightBloom:
Color green Color brownMonoecious flowers appear in drooping, brownish male catkins and smaller, upright, greenish female catkins
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color greencolor brownDrooping, catkins (cone-like fruits) containing numerous winged seeds that typically mature in late summer
Foliage:
color greenLeathery, diamond-shaped, medium to dark green leaves (1.5-3.5" long) with doubly toothed margins
Fall:
color yellowFall color can be a good yellow
Special Qualities:
Showy Fruit, 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, Clay, Heavy ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Native, ALB Host'Cully', often sold as HERITAGE™, is a vigorous, fast-growing, medium-sized tree. Know for it's salmon bark that exfoliates to reveal a white inner bark. 'Cully' is extremely resistant to the bronze birch borer and also has good resistance to leaf spot diseases.
Collections:
Common:
Dura Heat® River Birch
Scientific:
Betula nigra
'BNMTF'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
30-40 ftSpread:
25-35 ftShape:
Oval Pyramidal UprightBloom:
Color green Color brownMonoecious flowers appear in drooping, brownish male catkins and smaller, upright, greenish female catkins
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color greencolor brownDrooping, catkins (cone-like fruits) containing numerous winged seeds that typically mature in late summer
Foliage:
color greenSuperior foliage that is smaller and closer together. Leathery, diamond-shaped, medium to dark green leaves with doubly toothed margins
Fall:
color yellowImproved fall color that is more reliably yellow
Special Qualities:
Showy Fruit, 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, Clay, Heavy ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Native, ALB HostDURA-HEAT® is a somewhat smaller cultivar that features better creamy white bark color, better tolerance to summer heat, better insect and disease resistance and superior foliage to the species.
Collections:
Common:
River Birch
Scientific:
Betula nigra
Plant type:
TreesHeight:
40-70 ftSpread:
40-60 ftShape:
Oval Pyramidal Columnar UprightBloom:
Color green Color brownMonoecious flowers appear in drooping, brownish male catkins and smaller, upright, greenish female catkins
Blooming period:
Apr - MayFruit:
color greencolor brownDrooping, catkins (cone-like fruits) containing numerous winged seeds that typically mature in late summer
Foliage:
color greencolor silverLeathery, alternate, diamond-shaped medium green leaves about 2" to 4" long. Paler, almost silvery on the underside
Fall:
color yellowcolor brownLeaves may turn a bright golden yellow, but fall color is often dull and brownish-yellow
Special Qualities:
Showy Fruit, 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, Clay, Heavy ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Native, ALB HostGenerally adaptable and most heat tolerant of the birches. Prefers wet sites and does best in moist, acidic, fertile soils. Best foliage occurs in full sun.
Parks recommends single-stem only when used as a street tree.
Common:
Whitespire Grey Birch
Scientific:
Betula populifolia
'Whitespire'Plant type:
TreesHeight:
20-40 ftSpread:
10-20 ftShape:
ColumnarBloom:
Color green Color yellow Color brownMonoecious. Tiny flowers appear in early spring. Male flowers, in single catkins, are yellow brown while females are green
Blooming period:
AprFruit:
color brownDrooping cone-like fruits containing numerous small winged seeds that typically mature in late summer
Foliage:
color greenLong-pointed, triangular, dark green leaves (each up to 3" long) that are double-toothed and shiny with tapered tips
Fall:
color yellowLeaves turn an attractive yellow
Special Qualities:
Distinctive Foliage, Distinctive BarkLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
3a - 6aOther:
ALB Host'Whitespire' is best known for its upright form, non-exfoliating white bark, dark green leaves and attractive yellow fall color.
Can be found on the High Line.
Common:
Sideoats Grama
Scientific:
Bouteloua curtipendula
Plant type:
Grass/Grass-likeHeight:
1.5-2.5 ftSpread:
1.5-2 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color green Color red Color purpleInflorescences of greenish, reddish, or purplish-tinged flowers appear on one side of arching stems rising above the foliage
Blooming period:
Jul - AugFruit:
color brownAs the flowers transition to seed they morph into light-tan pendant oat-like clusters
Foliage:
color greencolor bluecolor silverNarrow, green-bluish-gray leaf blades (to 0.25" wide) typically form a dense clump growing 1-1.5' tall
Fall:
color yellowcolor redcolor orangecolor brownFoliage turns golden brown in autumn, sometimes also developing interesting hues of orange and red. Cut back to the ground in early spring