Many landscapes look very similar because most only use the more common plant materials, which are readily available. That is why it is a good idea to incorporate unique plant materials into your landscape and bring visual interest to your property. Currently there are many plants available in the garden center, which fall into this category.

Consider using unusual trees, such as Gingko, which has a fan shaped leaf with a brilliant yellow fall color. Wolf’s Eye Dogwood has a variegated leaf, which is unusual since most dogwoods have green leaves once they have bloomed. Another good tree is the Green Leaf or Variegated Leaf Japanese Maple. Most people use red-leaf varieties but try one of these to give an eye-catching contrast to your landscape.

If you would like to try something extraordinary, consider using a Paper-Bark Maple. It is a smaller tree with bark that peels, similar to a River Birch, and not commonly found in local landscapes. If you prefer an evergreen tree, use a Blue Atlas Cedar. It has small blue needles that will really attract attention. There are also several varieties of Spruce now available at the garden center that not often found in the average landscaped yard.

Unique shrub varieties to consider for making your landscape more exotic include Compact Hinoki Cypress, Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, Golden and Blue Spiral Junipers, Black Dragon Cryptomeria, Blue Star Juniper, and Golden Arborvitae, just to name a few.

Using unique and uncommon plant varieties will bring interest and an individual style to your landscape.

Happy gardening.