Specimen or Focal Points plants
A plant cultivated for exhibition or in the open to show its complete growth, as opposed to one in a border or even other plantings. It is easier to recall what “specimen” plants are if you study the Latin root from which the name is derived. Spec– is a Latin term that means “to gaze at.” As a result, a specimen plant is one that you would stand out in your landscape as just being extremely impressive to look at and so deserving of “center stage” in your yard. This is usually a tree, but it might also be a shrub, perennial, or other plants if it is sufficiently huge, showy, cuts a strong figure, or catches the attention as being extremely unique.
A blooming or deciduous tree that occupies a prominent place on a lawn is an example of a specimen plant. What kind of tree should you plant? For instance, if you have a favorite color, you might choose from several contenders whose flowers or leaves are that hue. However, it may be any visual characteristic that you place a value on. Colorado is in mourning. Evergreen, with its dark and scary green branches and weeping tendency, would and does contrast beautifully against light-colored or brick and stone structures, creating a pleasing aesthetic impression.
The Purpose of a Focal Point:
While a focus point first catches the eye, it does much more than that. The good landscape will use focal points to add order and dimension to the yard, as well as to centralize the vista and guide guests’ perspectives. A focal point may also give character to the yard, whether it offers a feeling of natural elegance, a stylish, recent development, or even a touch of whimsy. Drawing attention away from a neighbor’s yard, decreasing the impression of a difficult spot, or directing sightlines away from a drainage grate or air conditioner are all examples of how focal points may assist distract from less aesthetically attractive vistas.
What Is a Focal Point?
A focus point is a prominent, eye-catching element that pulls the eye and captures attention. This can be almost any sort of element in the landscape, from plants to architecture to hardcaping to decoration. Among the most popular landscaping focus points are;
One-of-a-kind specimen plants, such as rare kinds, odd forms, or extraordinary sizes
Water elements including ponds, waterfalls, and fountains
Boulders, terraces, or other eye-catching hardscape elements
A bird food station or other wildlife-friendly feature
A colorful flowerbed, pot garden, or even a stunning storage shed
A statue or sculpture, even something as simple as a gazing ball or sundial
l • Attractive structures such as gates, arbors, pergolas, or arches
A one-of-a-kind walkway, such as a mosaic, concrete steps, or bridge
Uniquely designed paver, such as a mural-style element
A focal point could be anything one-of-a-kind, whether it’s a naturally occurring material of the current landscape or something you’ve always wanted to put in your yard or garden.
Choosing Specimen Plants:
When choosing specimen plants for your landscaping, there are several aspects to consider. We can assist you in making the best selection possible; taking into account the features you seek in your plants as well as the ideal place for them. We propose that you consider the following factors while making your decision:
Sunlight
Spacing
Favorite colors
Gardening around the house
The duration and timing of the flowering season
Your landscape’s size
If you’re searching for plants that will provide year-round appeal, you’ll probably make a different decision than someone whose main demand is a bright color. Most blooming plants can’t keep their color, or even the blooms themselves, through the harsh Northern Virginia winters, so trees with some good branches are a better choice if you want a longer-lasting focal point. Dogwood trees are a specimen of trees with interestingly shaped branches.
Dogwood plants:
Cornus is a family of roughly 30–60 species of woody plants in the Cornaceae family, commonly known as dogwoods. They are characterized by their flowers, berries, and unique bark. Choose a location for your dogwoods that is well-drained but not overly dry. The ideal soil is rich in organic materials. Dogwoods may be planted in full sun or moderate shade, with moderate shade being preferable (morning sun in particular). Dogwood is as resilient as it appears and will flourish after severe pruning. Remove about a third of the stalk in the spring, before the buds emerge. It grows quickly, reaching a height of 40-60cm each year, so don’t worry about cutting too much; it will come back. The four major subdivisions that are
Flowering Dogwoods (Benthamidia)
Cornels (Cornus)
Dogwoods (Swida)
Bunchberries or Dwarf cornels (Chamaepericlymenum)
Japanese maple (Acer palmatum):
Selecting the ideal Dogwood for your home entails taking into account what your region has to offer as well as what you are searching for. A strong bond in which your Dogwood benefits from required water, sun, and nutrient sources and you profit from the Dogwood’s best growth, shade, and beauty is in everyone’s best interests. They develop Japanese maples are all-season ‘Red Filigree Lace,’ including many Japanese maples, retains its deep purple-red color throughout the summer and becomes vivid scarlet in the fall. Others change to an orange or gold-yellow color. This elegant beauty complements azaleas, hydrangeas, and other shade-loving perennials in any style garden. Many of these trees keep growing and reach a height of 10 to 15 feet, making them ideal for use in beds, boundaries, foundation zones, and even containers.
Weeping trees:
The branches of weeping trees drop toward the earth. Due to various their dangling branches, they are frequently given the species or seedling name “Pendula.” Natural weeping occurs in just a few trees. Weeping is usually caused by a genetic mutation that prevents real growth from seeds. Weeping white pine is a beautiful weeping evergreen tree with long, silky needles that is ideal for creating a focal point in the landscape. It grows unevenly, so no two trees are similar (but all are gorgeous). Many weeping cultivars include the word “pendulum” or “pendula” in their name, which comes from the Latin pendula, which means “hang down.” A weeping tree is an ideal choice for a garden focal point because of its unique drooping growth pattern. Some types of weeping trees are:
Walker Siberian Peabush (Caragana Arborescens “Walker,”)Weeping Cherry (Prunus sub Specimen or Focal Points plantsWeeping Hemlock (Larix kaempferi ‘Pendula’))Weeping White Mulberry (Morus Alba “Pendula,)Weeping Willow (Salix Babylonica)Weeping Hemlock (Larix Kaempferi ‘Pendula’)
