What is a specimen tree? Specimens are often highly ornamental or eye-catching trees planted apart from other trees or tree groupings. Their interesting attributes make them the perfect centerpiece for your garden’s design.

Step down into Debbie Hadley’s Webster Groves garden and be engulfed in green: the dark forest green of the towering Norway spruce, the Canadian hemlock and feathery false cypress that form the perimeter of property. Spotted throughout to provide winter interest and architectural form, deep green spreading yews, blue tinged spruces and Weeping Blue Atlas cedar add nuances to the verdant theme.

Verbena: Verbena are known for their high-tolerance of hot, dry conditions. Many of their varieties are natives of America and Asia. They are clumps or spikes of flowers that grow as herbs, shrubs, trees or vines. Once used as a medicinal herb, verbena are now the perfect ornamental touch.

Tips

• Keep their soil moist, not wet. Verbena do not like having soggy feet. If the soil gets too dry, they are prone to flushing, or losing blooms while remaining green and leafy.

• Aim for six or more hours of direct sunlight for peak blooming performance.

A critically endangered agave plant that flowers just once every 20 years bloomed early this spring in the Missouri Botanical Garden greenhouses. The Agave pelona is monocarpic, meaning that the plant will die after blooming.

Low-maintenance beauty: Sango Kaku won’t require much work! Mulch will help retain moisture and keep the roots cool. The plant needs little pruning, but if you do opt to prune your plant, avoid doing so in spring when the sap is running.

There are not many gardeners who could handle the challenge of taming a two-acre, hillside landscape. But then there are not many gardeners with the talent, knowledge and dedication of Laure Hullverson. Laure holds an Associate in Applied Science in Horticulture degree from the well-regarded program at St. Louis Community College-Meramec and also has a background as an interior designer.