Unusual garden trees
Sometimes it's the striking flowers, sometimes the shape and color of the leaves or the growth habit: a tree can do much more than just provide shade, it can also become a fascinating eye-catcher. If the usual range of garden centers is not enough for you, take a look at our suggestions.
also read
- 10 evergreen trees for the garden
- Hanging trees add variety to the garden
- Spherical trees are eye-catchers in the garden: the most beautiful varieties
Chinese bluebell tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
With its lush foliage, this deciduous tree, up to 15 meters high, looks almost tropical. With its thick, sparsely branched branches it builds up a picturesque, broadly spreading crown. Particularly noticeable, however, are the purple, funnel-shaped flowers, which are in large panicles at the ends of the previous year's branches and open in April just before the leaves open.
Gingko or fan leaf tree (Ginkgo biloba)
This deciduous deciduous tree, native to China and Japan, grows up to 30 meters tall when old. There are numerous varieties that differ in habit and foliage. The dwarf Gingko 'Marieken' is particularly recommended for small gardens and pots.
Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
The deciduous, early budding katsura tree is also called cake or gingerbread tree. It usually grows multi-stemmed to a tree up to 15 meters high with a conical crown. The species has bluish-green, peculiarly hand-nerved leaves on top, which turn splendidly light yellow to scarlet red in autumn. The falling leaves give off a cake-like scent. This beautiful wood grows slowly and therefore finds enough space even in medium-sized gardens.
Handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata)
The deciduous handkerchief tree is also called the pigeon tree. It grows slowly up to a tree about 15 meters high. The broad, heart-shaped leaves are fresh green on top and densely hairy on the underside. The flowers of this tree are very unusual: They are actually inconspicuous, but flanked by white, up to 16 centimeters long and hanging bracts. Trees in full bloom are a spectacular sight when they bloom in May / June.
Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
The tulip tree is closely related to the magnolias, but becomes much larger with a height between 25 and 40 meters. The bluish-green leaves turn a glorious golden yellow in autumn. The real attraction, however, are the tulip-like flowers with yellow petals.
Tips
Among the conifers, the bald cypress, which is up to 40 meters high, is an extraordinary exotic species. The tree is very suitable for planting on lake or pond edges.
