Unusual trees and true rarities among perennials provide an individual touch in green spaces. These plants are a highlight that catches the eye and are therefore wonderfully suitable for garden design. We have been looking for such garden treasures and would like to introduce them to you in a little more detail.
What unusual plants are there for the garden?
Unusual plants for the garden include the fig “Ice Crystal”, grosgrain “Staphylea pinnata”, gingerbread tree “Cercidiphyllum japonicum”, Alpine edelweiss “Leontopodium alpinum”, liverwort “Hepatica nobilis”, bitterroot “Little Mango” and prairie cone flower “Ratibida columnifera var.“Pulcherrima”. They give individual flair and are visual highlights.
Rare tree species
These are suitable both as solitary plants and, in a loose form surrounded by perennials, as a structural plant in a bed.
| Plant | Claims | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Fig “Ice Crystal” | Warm, sunny, wind-protected location, self-fertile. | The leaves of this beautiful fig resemble ice crystals in shape. This fruit-bearing fig reaches a height of up to three meters and thrives outdoors in sheltered locations. Cultivation in a bucket is also possible. |
| Ripsen Pimpernut “Staphylea pinnata” | Sunny to partially shaded location, frost hardy. | This tree, once native to Germany, is on the red list. Its name comes from the rattling nut fruits, which are located in an inflated capsule fruit. In spring, the creamy white flowers spread a wonderful coconut scent that wafts gently through the entire garden. |
| Gingerbread tree “Cercidiphyllum japonicum” | Sunny location, prefers sandy-loamy soils, frost hardy. | Beautiful solitary tree whose gently shimmering light green, heart-shaped leaves create an enchanting play of light. In autumn the leaves turn bright yellow-red and exude a gentle gingerbread scent. |
This is just a small selection of the tree beauties that you will rarely find in your neighbor's garden. Also very attractive:
- The American flower dogwood with its beautiful, white flowers.
- The red-stemmed garden bamboo, where the branches and foliage are in striking contrast.
- The green slotted maple, with up to 10 centimeters large, attractively shaped leaves.
Rare perennial rarities
There isn't always enough space in the garden for a tree. Maybe you also want to give your front garden a very special flair with unusual perennials.
| Plant | Claims | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Edelweiss “Leontopodium alpinum “ | Sunny location, prefers sandy-loamy soils. Absolutely frost-proof and quite robust. | Also a plant that has become rare in nature. The landmark of the Allgäu region brings alpine flair to your garden and enchants with its silvery, shimmering, hairy flower heads. |
| Liverwort “Hepatica nobilis” | Partly shaded to shady location in slightly moist, humus-rich or sandy-loamy soil. | These delicate flower beauties once grew in many places in nature, but have now become rare due to intensive cultivation. The liverwort produces flowers even in the shade and is therefore ideal as an underplant for trees and bushes. |
| Bitterroot “Little Mango” | Partly shaded location, sandy-humous substrate, frost hardy. | Very rare rock garden plant with thick-fleshed leaves and small, orange-yellow flower stars. Bitterroot closes the flowering gap between late spring and early summer and is ideal for rock gardens. |
| Prairie cone flower “Ratibida columnifera var. Pulcherrima” | Sunny location, permeable humus, possibly. slightly sandy soil, drought tolerant, hardy. | The unusual flower shape makes this perennial a visual highlight. It blends in very well with the perennial bed and is an unusual eye-catcher. |
Tip
It's rare to find such rarities in the garden center around the corner. Internet shops are a good source, but they have the disadvantage that you cannot see the plant quality directly. Take a stroll through plant markets where plant breeders and hobby gardeners offer their treasures for sale. You're sure to find what you're looking for here.
