Other Stormwater Tolerant Plants
There are situations and locations where, despite the best of intentions, a native plant will not be
the right plant for the site. In other instances, a mixture of native and non-native species allows
for a wider array of aesthetic options and diversity of plants. The list that follows is of plants that
perform well, particularly in the right of way, but the majority are not native to New York City or
the surrounding region. Included on this list are ornamental cultivars of some native plants.
These cultivars do not occur naturally in the region, and are not suited for planting in natural
ecosystems. However, due to concerns about visibility and sight lines, as well as urban
tolerance and aesthetic considerations, they merit consideration in right of way stormwater
plantings.
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
PLANTS THAT TOLERATE PERIODS OF INUNDATION
TREES
Amelanchier lamarkii Juneberry
Amelanchier x grandiflora Apple Serviceberry
Carpinus betulus European Hornbeam
Chionanthus retusus Chinese Fringetree
Chioanthus virginicus White Fringetree
Platanus x acerifolia London Planetree
Quercus acutissima Sawtooth Oak
Taxodium distichum Common Baldcypress
SHRUBS
Itea virginica Sweetspire
PERENNIALS
Monarda didyama Bee Balm
GRASSES
Carex elata Golden Sedge
Carex glauca Blue Sedge
Hakonechloa macra Japanese Forest Grass
PLANTS FOR SLOPES OF SWALES - MOIST TO DRY SOILS
TREES
Cornus kousa Kousa Dogwood
Cornus mas Cornelian cherry Dogwood
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis Thornless Common Honeylocust
Gymnocladus dioicus Kentucky Coffeetree
Hamamelis x intermedia Witchhazel
Koelreuteria paniculata Panicled Goldenraintree
Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood