Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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list of specimen trees

A list of specimen trees is an essential resource for New Zealand gardeners seeking to make a statement in their landscape design. Specimen trees provide an architectural focal point, dramatic seasonal colour, or unique form that instantly elevates any garden. Choosing the right specimen tree can transform a dull corner into a standout feature and attract attention year-round. If you’re searching for the best specimen trees for your garden, this guide will help you discover striking varieties that thrive in New Zealand conditions.

Lagunaria patersonia

Lagunaria patersonia, commonly known as the Primrose Tree, is an attractive, evergreen tree featuring lovely flowers. The showy, single flowers are produced from summer through autumn and start out pink but gradually fade to white. They are great for attracting birds and bees and are complemented with lush, olive-green foliage as it grows to 10 m tall and 6 m wide though. Lagunaria patersonia is commonly grown as a specimen, maintained in a courtyard or cottage garden, added to a mixed planting, or used in an avenue planting.

Buy Lagunaria patersonia

From $343.89

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 6.00 m

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

Garden uses: Avenues, Parks, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese

Robinia Lace Lady

Robinia Lace Lady, commonly known as the False Acacia tree, is a deciduous tree grown for its lace-like foliage and pendulous form. The showy foliage emerges light green in spring, ages to become dark green, then develops colourful yellow tones in autumn before falling. It typically grows to 3 m tall and the same wide. Robinia Lace Lady is commonly grown as a specimen, used in oriental themed gardens, or maintained in a courtyard garden.

Buy Robinia Lace Lady

From $299.92

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 2.50 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

What Makes a Great Specimen Tree?

Specimen trees are typically chosen for their remarkable appearance or distinctive characteristics. These trees often feature bold foliage, graceful forms, vivid flowers, or stunning bark. The ideal specimen tree stands alone and draws focus, so choose one that suits the scale of your garden and the style you wish to create.

Popular List of Specimen Trees for New Zealand Gardens

When considering a specimen tree, look for features that will shine throughout the seasons, from spring blossom to autumn leaf colour. Here’s a list of specimen trees that our customers love for their lasting beauty and adaptability:

1. Robinia Lace Lady

Robinia Lace Lady is a compact, architectural beauty best known for its twisted branches and delicate foliage. This smaller specimen tree is ideal for courtyards or smaller gardens, adding a sculptural element even in winter when its unique branch structure catches the eye.

2. Lagunaria patersonia

Lagunaria patersonia, also called the Norfolk Island Hibiscus, features lush evergreen foliage and eye-catching, pale-pink hibiscus-like flowers in summer. Its upright form and resilience to wind make it a versatile choice for coastal settings and urban gardens.

3. Corylus maxima Purpurea

If you’re after dramatic colour, Corylus maxima Purpurea is a superb choice. This Purple Filbert offers deep burgundy foliage that holds its colour from spring into autumn, drawing the eye and providing a striking contrast in mixed plantings.

4. Fraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus excelsior, also known as the Common Ash, is valued for its stately form and luminous yellow autumn colour. Its strong, upright habit makes it a classic specimen tree for larger grounds and avenues.

5. Cercis canadensis Texas White

For massed spring flowering, Cercis canadensis Texas White delivers a profusion of white blossoms along bare branches before the heart-shaped foliage emerges. This elegant small tree is perfect for feature planting near patios or entryways.

Creating Impact with a Specimen Tree

Planting a specimen tree is about more than just picking a beautiful plant—it’s about positioning and design. Place your choice from this list of specimen trees where it can be enjoyed from key viewpoints, and allow space for its mature size. Mulch and feed regularly for best performance, and consider underplanting with seasonal bulbs or low-growing groundcovers to frame your specimen and showcase it year-round.

The right specimen tree can be the crowning feature of your garden for decades to come. Explore our full selection and turn your outdoor space into a living work of art.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.