Whether your garden consists of a lush, sprawling paradise or a small patio brimming with potted plants, adding in a feature tree will always have such a transformational effect. While some feature trees are purely ornamental, there are others that are also edible or medicinal, bringing even more diversity to your outdoor space.
Yucca Filifera
There are around 40 different yucca species out there, and the Yucca Filifera is one of the fastest-growing. This makes it perfect for those who want a feature tree to fill out an area in their garden, with a large multi-stemmed specimen having the potential to quickly become an attention-grabbing focal point.
With rosettes of spear-shaped leaves sitting atop a rigid trunk, this tree has such a dramatic architectural quality to it throughout the year. It also produces tall spikes of white flowers in the summer, adding to its unique sculptural shape.
The Olive Tree
Native to the Mediterranean, the olive tree has been revered since ancient times, and it’s easy to see why. Their gnarled trunks become more twisted and contorted with age, and considering that the tree can live for hundreds of years, there are some truly exquisite specimens out there.
Of course, let’s not forget the fruit produced by the olive tree – after all, you could end up with just under 20kg of this a year! Although this isn’t really a fruit that you can eat straight off the tree, the processing techniques for olives aren’t too complicated, and the flavour of whatever you produce will no doubt be among the best you’ve tasted!
The Avocado Tree
If you’re not a fan of olives but like the idea of an edible feature tree, then an avocado tree is one to consider. Although natively grown in warm environments, cold tolerant varieties have now been developed, allowing them to tolerate temperatures that dip just below freezing.
This is an evergreen tree with dense foliage, providing a lush, tropical appeal throughout the year. If you’re short on space, this is a great one for growing in a pot – this also means that those in colder climates can easily bring their tree indoors over the winter.
The Tree Aloe
Reaching up to 20 metres in height once mature, the Tree Aloe is the tallest in the aloe family, and its leaves contain the same medicinal properties as its relatives. With a massive trunk that produces multiple branches, each featuring rosettes of evergreen leaves, this feature tree never fails to impress.
During the winter months, the Tree Aloe produces beautiful flowers, with colours ranging from pink to orange depending on the conditions that the tree is growing in. These gorgeous blooms are loved by the birds and the bees, making this tree a great choice for anyone wanting to encourage pollinators to their garden.
In order for a feature tree to really thrive, it needs to be grown in the right environment. Fortunately, there are feature trees out there for every type of growing condition you could imagine, giving every garden the chance to really make a statement.