Unique Leaves

When walking down the rows and rows of trees and shrubs at a nursery, consider a look at the foliage of the plants a bit more closely.  Most shrubs and trees have one or two seasons of color and the rest of the time are plain green, why not get something that stands out?  Each species has as unique leaf shape and texture and many are overlooked for the flowers and fall color they produce.  Today I’m going to discuss a few different shrubs and trees with great leaves that are way better than their flowers.

The standard oak and maple leaves of the world are what most think of when it comes to tree leaves, but there are a ton of different options if you look a little deeper. My favorite tree is the Ginkgo, and its due to its unique leaf shape and texture. The fan-shaped leaves and parallel veins within them are one-of-a-kind in the plant world. These trees grow slow and sturdy and can be around for hundreds of years. Their leaves are their most unique feature and rustle in the wind while also being great for shade and weathering most storms like a champ. In the fall these leaves turn a golden color and drop all at once on a late fall day.

Another tree with great unique leaves is the Tuliptree. These trees are fast growing overstory trees with cup-shaped flowers in the summer.  Their leaves are a great feature due to their 4 even lobes, almost like a webbed hand, and dark green color.  After they bloom they are still showy with their stand-out leaves and turn yellow in the fall. 

Another option on the tree side is Tricolor Beech.  These trees are understory trees with leaves that are green, purple, and pink all at the same time.  They have irregular margins so each leaf is different, and each tree will have different amounts of each color.  They are used as a specimen tree and can be a great choice for a shaded area for some good color.