ne
Cultivate
garden design
Select Specimen
A choice tree can be the difference between ho-hum and ooh-ahh.
By Kiley Jacques
homeowners who invest in their
gardens know there is always at least one
prize post deserving something special.
For such locations, avoid the pitfalls of
poorly placed plants. Choose wisely and
make a sterling statement.
Consider an intimate patio garden, for
example, one in need of a "punctuation
point"—something to anchor the vignette
and wed it to the wider landscape. For
this type of space, assuming the cultural
conditions are right, a Stewartia pseudo-
camellia makes an excellent choice.
The small- to medium-sized deciduous
tree provides year-round interest in the
garden with its sinewy branching habit
(draped in freshly fallen snow, the effect
is bewitching); mottled bark; showy white
camellia-like flowers in late spring/early
summer (after most trees have stopped
blooming); persistent green capsule fruits;
and surreal fall foliage, which bleeds from
brilliant red-orange to deep dark wine.
The slow-growing Stewartia is consid-
Four Seasons: Japanese Stewartia is loved for its
gorgeous fall foliage and muscular branching habit.
ered a valuable specimen tree, meaning
it ought to be planted where its unique
qualities will be showcased as the seasons
turn. Native to Japan and Korea, it thrives
in part sun/part shade, but will grow in
full sun or full shade. It tolerates most soil
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