• Tamarack trees have a distinctively elegant form.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  If you're looking for a striking centerpiece for your garden, an unusual tree makes an excellent focal point, its height balancing out the horizontal lines of lower plantings. As there are literally thousands of unique and notable tree species that work well for gardening, consult with your local horticultural extension service to learn about the species best suited to your climate. To whet your appetite for the exotic, consider a few unique trees that are well-suited to a range of climates.
  
  

Tamarack

• The tamarack (Larix laricina) grows in the northernmost parts of the United States and throughout much of Canada. Its many names also include Alaska larch, American larch, Eastern Canadian larch, and tamarac or tamarak. Though not directly related, the tamarack does closely resemble the European larch. These trees usually grow to around 75 feet, though they can sometimes reach up to 115 feet, potentially living to well over a hundred years. The tree has an upright trunk with wide-spreading branches. Its bark is red-brown with thin scales. Tamarack is an unusual conifer, in that it loses its needle-like leaves in the fall. The needles are about 1 inch in length, and they turn from bright green to a dull yellow in early autumn. The tree's nearly sphere-shaped cones can range in color from red to green. They measure about 3/4 inches long.
  
  

Golden Larch

• The golden larch (Pseudolarix amabilis or Pseudolarix kaempferi) was rediscovered in the mid 20th century after its first appearance at the 1904 World's Fair. Like the tamarack, the golden larch is another unusual conifer that loses its lacy leaves. The needles turn from intense green to golden in the autumn. The tree grows to just around 50 feet in height, with a broad, pyramidal crown of open growth. The golden larch will flourish in fertile and slightly acidic, well-drained soil. It requires some shelter from harsh wind and direct sunlight for best growth. Plant the golden larch as a striking focal point, notable for its unusual bark and showy foliage.
  
  

Jaboticaba

• If you're landscaping in warmer climates, the jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) can offer unusual displays of purple, edible berries and small, white flowers. The jaboticaba is native to Brazil and grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. Best planted in subtropical or tropical locations, the tree cannot tolerate temperatures below 37 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit. The tree is relatively small, rarely reaching more than 20 feet in height. One unusual feature of the jaboticaba is its fruits' growth pattern, sprouting directly from the tree trunk.