To throw something exotic out, one of the most memorable tree species I can remember were the pohutukawas on the north coast of the North Island of New Zealand. They remind me a lot of live oaks (Quercus virginiana) in size and form, but they grow especially in dramatic locations along the coast, all of which makes them fabulous trees already, but on top of that they have amazing mid-summer (Christmas time) flowers. From a distance they look just like they're covered in poinsettias: it's that same striking red and it just covers the tree, again like a poinsettia. I can't think of any other full-sized trees (especially not that grow in my region) that just cover themselves with color like that; the closest thing I can think of is a peach tree, except peach trees are nowhere near the size, and pink isn't quite is stunning. And the nectar of the pohutukawa also makes probably the most delicious honey I've ever eaten (and I'm a beekeeper and I used to really be into collecting different honeys, so I've probably tried close to a hundred varietal honeys.) I only have limited exposure to pohutukawas, but it was very memorable. Speaking of amazing trees that aren't native to the Southeast, I'd have to mention the obvious giant sequoias and coastal redwoods. But even the old growth tulip-poplars (yellow-poplars) in the western part of my state (NC) are similarly amazing, even if they'd be dwarfed by the giant sequoias and coastal redwoods. As far as the kind of trees that I could grow where I'm located (west of Winston-Salem), Asian persimmons (D. kaki) are terrific landscape trees, especially the late ripening, astringent-until-ripe varieties that hold large, bright orange fruit into December and even beyond. And the fruit is delicious. Besides fresh eating, it makes perhaps the best dried fruit I've ever tasted. And the trees and fruit are generally easy to grow and trouble free. For a native tree, I love mature shortleaf pines. They're a great lumber tree in the woods (and as boards), and they're a great specimen tree grown in the open, almost as pleasing to me as a mature, spreading Quercus alba, which I'd have to mention, too. I like gingkos for their symmetry, but especially for their fall color and the way the leaves fall off in one tremendous cascade the first morning after the first hard fall freeze. I don't know if figs really count as trees, but for fruit that's trouble-free (except for infrequent winter injury in my location, from which it recovers very quickly), as enjoyable to eat as any fruit I can think of (besides also making excellent dried fruit, depending somewhat on variety), and with such a long season (potentially July-early November here), I don't think any other fruit can compare.

I got mine from Germany with quite a bit of work and money. I wish they were more available around these parts. I can never understand why certain parts of the globe can have access, such a privilege to such plants while us here do not. Oh well. Toni: Mines was just starting to color up, that is until these nasty clouds and rain moved in for days! I hope to keep it outside in full sun for a little longer as the sun pops out tomorrow! I am considering sending it to a great friend here, as his climate is more conducive to rapid growth and his ability to grow jades is astounding to get it to grow more rapidly. I will e-mail you my friend. Mike

Rox, Thanks. I am sure you still have some blooming plants? Laura, Thanks, so complimentary..lol The Hilo Beauty is the mother plant of the one you have, so the flowers should be identical, but who knows with your magic touch. How did you know I had above shots...lol I know how you love to take them yourself.lol I did have to get up high to take some of the pics, the negative of mature or fast growing plants. Thanks again Plumeria-lover, Dont be jealous, I am sure you will be overflowing with blooms next season. Cheers Wendie, I would wait till spring to plant in ground. I planted in ground before in fall, somehow it never took off.

You can eat the fruits of the Lychee too, if I'm thinking of the some plant. They are white fruits, right? They are canned and you can get them in Asian grocery stores and sometimes regular stores. Those and Longons are on chinese buffets. I picked Longons and took them home when I was in Florida a few years ago. They are great fresh, but, don't keep well on a 19 hour drive back to Pa from Florida. I wanted my dad to taste them fresh, not just canned. We cut the bad parts off, I can see why they aren't in stores like fresh apricots and peaches etc. Lychees have a nice delicate flavor. I never had a fresh one, just canned too.