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:
Daylily
Scientific:
Hemerocallis
'Happy Returns'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-2.5 ftSpread:
2-2.5 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color yellow Bell shaped flowers that are 3". Buttery yellow color. Long blooming if dead-headed and watered
Blooming period:
Jun - OctFoliage:
color green Green basal, linear, grass-like to sword shaped foliage
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel 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:
MedHardiness:
3a - 9aOther:
Pollinator'Happy Returns' is a repeat-blooming diploid cultivar which features 3.5" diameter, ruffled, lemon yellow flowers.
H. fulva is invasive; H. cultivars not listed as invasive in NY, Do not plant near natural areas. Needs deadheading
Common:
Coral Bells
Scientific:
Heuchera
'Palace Purple'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-2 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
MoundedBloom:
Color white Tiny, pinkish white, bell-shaped flowers in open, airy panicles are borne on slender, wiry, dark red stems extending well above the mound of leaves, typically to a height of 15-24" in late spring to early summer
Blooming period:
May - JunFoliage:
color purple Deep purple, ivy-shaped foliage fades to bronze green in the heat of summer
Fall:
color greenBecomes dark green in the fall. evergreen in mild winter areas; an herbaceous perennial in colder regions
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowLight:
Full Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
HighpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Pollinator'Palace Purple' is characterized by its brilliant, deep purple foliage and contrasting sprays of tiny, white, summer flowers.
Needs even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline
Common:
Coral Bells
Scientific:
Heuchera
'Plum Pudding'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
1-2 ftSpread:
1-1.5 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color white Spike to open, airy panicle flowers of about 5" long appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers rise above the foliage mound, typically to 24” tall
Blooming period:
Apr - JulFruit:
color brown Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color purple Large, shiny, silvery, plum-purple leaves with dark-purple veining. lobed, long-petioled leaves form a basal mound
Fall:
color purpleFoliage is essentially evergreen in warm winter climates. In cold winter climates the amount of retained foliage color in winter depends in large part upon the severity of the temperatures
Special Qualities:
Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
HighpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, LoamMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Pollinator'Plum Pudding' is a hybrid coral bells cultivar noted for its large, shiny, silvery, plum-purple leaves with dark-purple veining and conspicuous but non-showy whitish flowers.
Good ground cover for shaded areas in rock gardens, borders and open woodland gardens. Needs even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline.
Common:
Coral Bells
Scientific:
Heuchera
'Miracle'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
0.75-1.5 ftSpread:
0.75-1 ftBloom:
Color pink Tiny spike flowers of about 5" long appear in early summer (later than most heucheras). The flowers rise above the foliage mound, typically to 18” tall
Blooming period:
Jun - JulFruit:
Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color yellowcolor red Leaves emerge chartreuse in spring with red splotches in the center, but mature by summer to deep red with yellow on the margins. Leaves are silvery underneath
Fall:
color yellowcolor redEvergreen in mild climates; herbaceous perennial in colder regions
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Spring, Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
HighpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
LoamMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 8bOther:
Pollinator‘Miracle’ is a vigorous, clump-forming coral bells cultivar that is noted for the changing colors of its leaves. Leaves emerge chartreuse in spring with red splotches in the center, but mature by summer to deep red with yellow on the margins. Leaves are silvery underneath.
Needs even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline.
Common:
Coral Bells
Scientific:
Heuchera americana
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
0.75-1.5 ftSpread:
0.75-1 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color green Color white Tiny, greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers in open, airy panicles are borne on slender, wiry stems extending well above the mound of leaves, typically to a height of 18-24" (infrequently to 3 feet) in late spring to early summer
Blooming period:
May - JulFoliage:
color greencolor orangecolor silvercolor purplecolor magentacolor brown clump of heart-shaped, 5- to 7-lobed, long-petioled leaves (3-5" wide), which emerge flushed with purplish-brown and mature to a uniform green.
Fall:
color greenKeeps foliage well into winter
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Distinctive FoliageLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SpringLight:
Full Sun to Full ShadeSalt:
HighpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Native, PollinatorNeeds even moisture to prevent scorch and general foliage decline
Common:
Rose Mallow
Scientific:
Hibiscus laevis
Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
4-6 ftSpread:
2-3 ftShape:
ClumpingBloom:
Color pink Color white Large, 5-petaled, hollyhock-like flowers with white to pink petals and maroon eyes. Blooms last for one day
Blooming period:
Jun - SepFruit:
color brown Ornamentally insignificant
Foliage:
color green Hairless leaves are alternate, 3-6" long, divided into 3-5 pointed lobes
Fall:
color greencolor brownStalks die down in the winter and grow back in the spring
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
SummerLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
NonepH:
Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
4a - 9bOther:
Pollinator
Common:
Hardy Hibiscus
Scientific:
Hibiscus moscheutos
'Southern Belle'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
4-6 ftSpread:
3-4 ftShape:
RoundedBloom:
Color pink Color white Color red Slightly trumpet-shaped flowers about 8" in diameter that come in a variety of colors. Overlapping petals of each flower surround a prominent and showy creamy white to pale yellow central staminal column.
Blooming period:
Jul - SepFruit:
color brown Seed capsules will float on water which facilitates seed dispersal
Foliage:
color greencolor white Alternate, broad-ovate leaves with toothed margins are green above and white-hairy beneath
Fall:
Flowers will bloom into early fall.
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
5a - 9bOther:
Pollinator'Southern Belle' is known for its variety of colors with red, pink, white, and bi-color flowers.
DEP Full Sun Plan 2.
Common:
Hardy Hibiscus
Scientific:
Hibiscus moscheutos
'Luna Pink Swirl'Plant type:
PerennialHeight:
2-3 ftSpread:
2-3 ftShape:
Rounded CompactBloom:
Color white Color red Slightly trumpet-shaped flowers about 8" in diameter that have a cranberry red center and five overlapping white petals swirled with pink.
Blooming period:
Jul - SepFruit:
color brown Seed capsules will float on water which facilitates seed dispersal.
Foliage:
color green Alternate, broad-ovate, leaves with toothed margins are green above and white-hairy beneath. Leaves are lobeless or have 3-5 shallow lobes.
Fall:
Will bloom into the fall season.
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun OnlySalt:
LowpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
5a - 9bOther:
Pollinator'Luna Pink Swirl' is noted for its large blush-pink flowers with dark cranberry-red centers.
DEP Urban Plan 1.
Common:
Rose of Sharon
Scientific:
Hibiscus syriacus
Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
8-12 ftSpread:
6-12 ftShape:
Vase-Like UprightBloom:
Color pink Color red Showy, hollyhock-like, 5-petaled pink flowers with red eyes
Blooming period:
Jun - OctFruit:
color brown Capsule; not ornamentally significant
Foliage:
color green Palmately-veined, coarsely-toothed, three-lobed, medium green leaves
Fall:
leaves produce no significant fall color
Special Qualities:
Showy BloomsLevel of Maintenance:
LowSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
MediumpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Urban (rubble/fill), Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
Med to WetHardiness:
5a - 8bOther:
PollinatorGood for open, sunny spaces.
Common:
Panicle Hydrangea
Scientific:
Hydrangea paniculata
'Limelight'Plant type:
ShrubHeight:
6-8 ftSpread:
6-8 ftShape:
Upright CompactBloom:
Color green Color yellow Color pink Color white Color brown Flowers emerge creamy white, mature to chartreuse-lime and eventually acquire pink-darkening-to-rose tones before finally fading to beige
Blooming period:
Jul - SepFruit:
color brown Ornamentally insignificant. Capsule
Foliage:
color green Oval to ovate, serrate, dark green leaves (to 4” long)
Fall:
color redAs the flowers fades in fall, the leaves turn attractive shades of red
Special Qualities:
Showy Blooms, Fall ColorLevel of Maintenance:
MediumSeason of Interest:
Summer, FallLight:
Full Sun to Part ShadeSalt:
HighpH:
Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)Soil:
Sand, Loam, ClayMoisture:
MedHardiness:
3a - 8bOther:
Pollinator'Limelight' is a slightly more compact cultivar that is noted for producing large, dense, upright, cone-shaped panicles (to 8” across) of mostly sterile flowers that change color on the shrub as they mature. Flowers emerge creamy white, mature to chartreuse-lime and eventually acquire pink-darkening-to-rose tones before finally fading to beige.