Designing a unique landscape means selecting trees that should not only beautify a garden but also add special features to it. Following are the seven unusual specimen trees that will work magic in your landscape:

1. Japanese Maple—Acer palmatum

Japanese Maple is cultivated for its magnificent foliage, with colors changing through the seasons. The delicate, hand-shaped leaves of the tree come in a wide array of colors: bright reds and oranges in the fall and soft greens and purples in spring and summer. Japanese Maples are relatively small trees, perfect for all-sized gardens. Their graceful form and striking color make them a focal point in any landscape.

2. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

In the spring, this Redbud gives a breathtaking sight with its branches covered in a profusion of pink to purple flowers before leaves are out. Being native to North America, it has wide soil tolerance. The heart-shaped leaves that come after the blooms turn bright yellow in fall. Some Redbuds can be multi-trunked or single-stemmed; their very showy branching pattern provides interest in winter to the landscape.

3. Dawn Redwood

The dawn redwood—Metasequoia glyptostroboides—is one of the most unusual trees with a most interesting history. Commonly called a “living fossil,” this deciduous conifer has endured from the era of the dinosaurs into modern times as a popular ornamental tree. There’s survival, discovery, and beauty in the story of the dawn redwood.

4. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Ginkgo trees are actually living fossils, over 200 million years old. They can be recognized instantly by their unique, fan-shaped leaves that turn a luminous yellow in the fall. Ginkgo trees have stood resilient against pollution, pests, and diseases, which make them great options for an urban landscape. Their unique leaves and symmetrical form provide an effective architectural element to gardens.

5. Weeping Cherry (Prunus pendula)

Weeping Cherry trees are so desirable due to their refined, cascading branches that, in spring, are blanketed with delicate pink or white blossoms. With their flowing lines and lavish blooming, these trees will add a touch of romance to any garden. After flowers have faded, the shiny green leaves provide summer shade. In fall, the leaves turn yellow, offering another season of interest.

6. Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum):

The Paperbark Maple belongs to the genus Acer and is known by its specific epithet, griseum. This is one of the most beautiful trees available due to its unique peeling bark and rich autumn colors. From central China, this tree is a sure favorite in gardens and landscapes worldwide. Such a definition can greatly make any garden special, offering interest and beauty throughout the whole year.

7. Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Dogwood trees are prized for their display in spring of large white or pink bracts surrounding the small, true flowers. Such bracts may persist for several weeks and thereby provide a genuinely long-lasting display. Besides spring appeal, dogwoods offer attractive foliage in summer, red or purple leaves in fall, and red berries that attract birds. The tree’s horizontal branching pattern provides a structural element to the landscape.

8. The Japanese Snowball:

The Japanese Snowball is a shrub—the grace incarnated into a viburnum variety. It is noted especially for its clusters of white, snowball-like flowers, hence its common name. The deciduous shrub hails from Japan and China and has gained so much attention from gardeners everywhere. This paper considers the characteristics, cultivation, care, and uses of the Japanese Snowball, providing basic information to enthusiasts who would like to add this beautiful plant to their landscapes.

9. Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria)

It gets its name from the cloud-like, smoky plumes of flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. These fluffy panicles can be pink, purple, or grayish-white, providing an ethereal quality to the garden. Equally striking is the foliage; some varieties have deep purple or golden leaves. In fall, the leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.

10. The Enchanting Weeping Mulberry

Maybe no other flowering tree is so handsome with its weeping shape and masses of leaves as the Weeping Mulberry, ‘Morus alba ‘Pendula’. No wonder this cultivar became popular with gardeners and landscapers because of such features and adaptability in growing conditions. The following article gives insight into the origin, characteristics, care requirements, and uses of the Weeping Mulberry, hence offering a comprehensive guide to enthusiasts and professionals alike.

11. Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)

Another, not so well-known but great plant for year-round interest is the Japanese Stewartia. It bears white flowers in summer that are camellia-like but with orange stamens. Its dark green leaves turn a spectacular mix of red, orange, and purple in autumn. Another outstanding feature of this tree is its peeling bark; as it exfoliates, large patches of orange, gray, and brown come to light, providing winter interest. The Japanese Stewartia offers an epitome of grace and charm in its multiseason interest for any landscape.

12. Cedar of Lebanon

The Cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, is a symbol of glory and strength, associated with historical, cultural, and ecological values. This majestic tree, native to the mountainous regions of the Eastern Mediterranean, has for a long time inspired and served human beings. Its attractions represent an impact on both natural and human landscapes, from ancient texts and mythologies to modern-day efforts of conservation.

13. Cryptomeria: The Elegant Japanese Cedar

Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar) is a lovely coniferous tree with a home ground in Japan and Taiwan. This evergreen, known scientifically as Cryptomeria japonica, is a great tree by way of its striking appearance and many uses and ecological benefits. To know Cryptomeria on a landscaping level or if you’re just a gardener or have an interest in this beautiful tree would give more appreciation for this unusual species.

Planting and Care Tips

Apply these general planting and care tips to make these unique ornamental trees thrive in your landscape:

Selection of a site:

The tree should be planted at a place that satisfies the sunlight and soil requirements. Most ornamental trees require well-drained soil and a sunny location, except that some, like the Japanese Maple, bear partial shade.

Planting:

Dig a hole twice as wide and about the same depth as the root ball of the tree. Carefully remove the tree from its container; loosen the roots and set it in the hole. Fill with soil, tamping gently to remove air pockets. Water well after planting.

Mulching:

Two to three inches of mulch should be spread around the base of the tree but not against the trunk. Mulch acts as a savior on soil by providing for soil moisture retention, modulating soil temperature, and weed prevention.

Watering:

A newly planted tree requires watering regularly, for the building up of a good root system. That means soaking the roots deeply once a week, taking into consideration any rainfall or soil type. Older, mature trees generally don’t require as much watering.

Prune:

Prune ornamental trees in late winter or early spring for shape and the removal of dead, diseased branches. No heavy pruning, as this puts stress on the tree.

Fertilization:

Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring for good growth; do not over-fertilize to avoid weak growth.

Pest and Disease Management:

Monitor your trees regularly for any pests or diseases. The sooner a problem is caught and treated, the more likely a tree is to remain healthy. Whenever possible, use disease-resistant cultivars.

Conclusion

Ornamental trees will have their own personalities and make for an interesting, always-changing landscape. Every tree adds its beauty to your landscape, providing interest throughout the growing season. Whether you like the delicacy of a Japanese Maple or the senescent elegance of a Ginkgo, these trees really will put a very personal touch into your landscape. With proper care and planting, they will thrive, delighting many years into the future.