This plant manual identifies plants and planting practices ideal for slope stabilization along urban highways. Appropriate plant selections are adapted to environmental stresses and harsh site conditions along depressed highway slopes found in urban areas. The plant selections also meet additional design criteria (e.g., low growing to allow clear vision, aesthetic appeal). This research was conducted by Michigan State University Department of Horticulture and Dr. Cregg. This research was funded and managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Nanette Alton and Yige Qu - Project Managers. This dataset is intended to be updated annually, as needed by roadside development staff. By using this dataset, you are accepting the terms of use attached. Dataset Owner Contact: MDOT-PlantManual@michigan.gov
This dataset has the following 35 columns:
| Column Name | API Column Name | Data Type | Description | Sample Values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay item Code | pay_item_code | text | MDOT pay item code for the plant. | 8157050 8153111 8152828 8151687 8153826 view top 100 |
| Habit | habit | text | General appearance and growth form. | Rounded Upright Clumping Pyramidal Rhizomatic view top 100 |
| Category | category | text | Type of plant. | Herbaceous Large Tree Small Tree Medium Shrub Grass view top 100 |
| Genus | genus | text | Genus of the plant, 1st part of the scientific name. | Acer Viburnum Pinus Carex Malus view top 100 |
| Species | species | text | Species of the plant, 2nd part of the scientific name. | canadensis virginiana nigra occidentalis virginica view top 100 |
| Cultivar | cultivar | text | Cultivar used in the project. | Morton' Arnold Promise Blue Chip Brilliantissima Butterfly' view top 100 |
| Common Name | common_name | text | The name of the plant in common usage. | Blue Star Sedge Columbine Common Witchhazel Blanket flower view top 100 |
| Light | light | text | How much sun the plant needs to thrive. | Full sun Full sun-part shade Full Sun Full sun-Part shade Full sun - partial shade view top 100 |
| Height Min (ft) | height_min_ft | number | Average height of the mature plant. | 0 2 1 40 3 view top 100 |
| Height Max (ft) | height_max_ft | number | Average height of the mature plant. | 3 4 6 70 5 view top 100 |
| Height Min (in) | height_min_in | number | Average height of the mature plant. | 0 24 12 480 36 view top 100 |
| Height Max (in) | height_max_in | number | Average height of the mature plant. | 36 48 72 60 840 view top 100 |
| Spread Min (ft) | spread_min_ft | number | Average spread (width) of the mature plant. | 0 1 2 3 10 view top 100 |
| Spread Max (ft) | spread_max_ft | number | Average spread (width) of the mature plant. | 2 3 20 30 1 view top 100 |
| Spread Min (in) | spread_min_in | number | Average spread (width) of the mature plant. | 0 24 12 36 120 view top 100 |
| Spread Max (in) | spread_max_in | number | Average spread (width) of the mature plant. | 24 36 240 12 360 view top 100 |
| Bloom Time | bloom_time | text | Bloom time for flowering plant. | Spring Summer Fall Summer-fall spring view top 100 |
| Sandy Soils | sandy_soils | text | If the plant can grow thrive in sandy soil. | x X view top 100 |
| Clay soils | clay_soils | text | If the plant can grow thrive in clay soil. | X x view top 100 |
| Wet Soils | wet_soils | text | If the plant can grow thrive in wet soil. | X x view top 100 |
| Dry Soils | dry_soils | text | If the plant can grow thrive in dry soil. | X x view top 100 |
| Drought Tolerant | drought_tolerant | text | If the plant can tolerant drought. | X x view top 100 |
| Prevents Erosion | prevents_erosion | text | If the plant prevents erosion. | X view top 100 |
| Evergreen/Deciduous | evergreen_deciduous | text | If the plant sheds foliage in the fall or retains foliage year-round. Applies to trees/shrubs only. | Deciduous N/A Evergreen Semi-Evergreen view top 100 |
| USDA Hardiness Zone Min | usda_hardiness_zone_min | number | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is the standard by which plants are likely to thrive at a specific location. | 4 3 5 2 6 view top 100 |
| USDA Hardiness Zone Max | usda_hardiness_zone_max | number | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is the standard by which plants are likely to thrive at a specific location. | 8 9 7 10 6 view top 100 |
| MI Native | mi_native | checkbox | If the plant is native to Michigan. | false true view top 100 |
| US Native | us_native | checkbox | If the plant is native to the United States. | true false view top 100 |
| Various cultivars avail? | various_cultivars_avail | checkbox | If there are various cultivars available for this species. | true view top 100 |
| Cultivar notes | cultivar_notes | text | Special features of a particular cultivar. | Alexandra': Sold as Wine and Roses, 4-5 ft tall, purple foliage, red-pink flowers; Java Red: 6 ft tall and wide, green foliage, pink blooms; 'Variegata': Green and white varigated foliage Alice': 5-8 ft tall and wide, large flowers; 'Peewee': Compact cultivar, 3-4 ft tall and wide, rounded habit Annabelle': Larger flowers, 3-5 ft tall; 'NCHA2': Sold as Invincebelle Spirit II, 4 ft tall and wide Autumn Brilliance': Orange fall color, Robin Hill: Pinkish flowers and orange/red fall color Blackhawks': Foliage emerges dark green and turns purple in late summer; 'Nondhwr': Also sold as 'Karl's Cousin', tight upright habit, green blades turn purple/blue in fall; 'Indian Warrior': Green leaves turn purple and bronze during the fall view top 100 |
| Clear vision | clear_vision | checkbox | If the plant height is under 30”. | false true view top 100 |
| Upland (U) | upland_u | text | If the plant can grow thrive in upland conditions. | U view top 100 |
| Wetland (W) | wetland_w | text | If the plant can grow thrive in wetland conditions. | W view top 100 |
| MSU Proven | msu_proven | text | The plants studied in the Slope Restoration on Urban Freeways research. | X view top 100 |
| Notes | notes | text | Likes acidic soils numerous cultivars Poor perfomance in heavy clay soil Shelter from wind Can get floppy in shade, spreads via rhizomes view top 100 |