Need a NEW tree to cover up an ugly power pole!

This is a really specific need (and I'm going to be super picky about it cause it's in the front yard) I want to take attention away frome this ugly power pole and lines.

I need...
Something for full sun
Something around 20 feet or less (It's amongst power lines so I don't want the power company to cut off half of it to give the lines room.)
Something not too wide b/c I want to be able to see the pretty bed and blueberry bushes behind it.
Something a little different (no crape myrtle)...want a little wow factor some time of the year.
Something that will be let me plant around it and not be so thick on the foliage that I can't plant underneath it.

I went to the local garden center for ideas but it was just too much to take in here are my ideas so far:

I originally wanted a silver dollar eucalyptus (but then I found out it gets HUGE so I guess that is out unless anyone has experience keeping it looking good and under control I would love it) they do well in this area I've seen several in my neighborhood...are there any dwarf varieties etc.?
I'd also be interested in an olive tree or something that looks like that if there is any that would do well in a humid 8b

The guy at the nursery suggested...
20 different types of tulip trees, which I like I just don't know which one to pick
10 different types of ornamental cherries the names of which I don't even remember
something that was like a magnolia (in bloom and leaf shape) but supposedly smells exactly like allspice (creamy white flower)
something that is similar but w/ smaller leaves and a smaller bloom but simlar to a magnolia and smells exatly like a banana (this one comes in a creamy white or a burgandy flower) (this one is really a large bush but can be trained to look like a tree)

I just want something cool and different that people will drive by and say oohh look at that!

I'll post a pic of the ugly pole tomorrow afternoon

Thanks!!

Maybe a "Little Gem" Magnolia, or a type of Yew. Carolina cherry laurel would also hide the pole well, it's not really showy though. You'll need something evergreen or you will be able to see the pole in the winter.

In your zone; maybe a jacaranda?
http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&aq=jacaranda%20tree&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGIC,GGIC:2006-49,GGIC:en&q=jacaranda+tree&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

It's a show tree, and by trimming it, and choosing the ultimate height (and keeping it like that) it would be a traffic stopper!

Christie

Edited to say;
we have one near our supermarket that's being kept small; just gorgeous!

This message was edited Feb 5, 2007 7:50 PM

I think the magnolia-like things that the nursery guy pointed out to you are probably Michelia x foggii 'Allspice' and Michelia figo. These have recently been reclassified into Magnolia genus, some places sell them still as Michelia and others as Magnolia.

I don't know if Jacaranda's really do well in zone 8--I think they're happiest in zone 10 and can get by in zone 9 but 8 is probably pushing it. They are gorgeous though! They also grow a bit taller than you want, so if you're looking for something that will stay the size you want it without putting much effort into it, it may not be the right tree. But I would have thought Tallahassee was warmer--are you really just in zone 8?

Here are a few to consider (I don't have personal experience with most of them--I found them by doing an advanced search in Plant Files for evergreen things with flowers that are hardy in zone 8)
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55062/index.html
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/48965/index.html
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/371/index.html
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/63234/index.html
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55643/index.html

Mrs_colla, you are right, the jacaranda is beautiful but I think ecrane is right I think I'm too cold for it. (It is almost enough to make me move further south!!)

Ecrane I think you're right on the magnolia things they didn't look like much at the nursery but he talked them up so much I'm going to have to look them up. I also love the TX mountain laurel that you suggested it is a close second to the Jacaranda and my fiance will love the fact that it is an evergreen! I think that may be the winner!

Thank you both so much!

I also looked at a st. luke's Purple leaf plum that although it didn't have significant flowers looked really good since I don't have anything else that's purple like that.

Well, how'bout a good old citrus than?
Evergreen, not all have thorns, flowers all year 'round, great scent, and... you get to eat more fruit!!!

I thought you would be warm enough for a Jacaranda in sunny Florida. Sorry!
Christie

The Sophora is a really beautiful plant, I think it's equally pretty as the Jacaranda and it's hardy in your zone which makes it better! The Michelia's are also beatiful plants and are evergreen too (at least here), although I've found sometimes they shed some leaves in the winter and look a little ratty, but when they're in bloom they're really gorgeous and fragrant. If the one really is M. x foggii 'Allspice' though I'm not sure if it's hardy in your zone (I'm not sure if Plant Files is right about it only being hardy in zone 10, I think it's fine in 9 too because I have one in a pot in a somewhat protected spot my patio and it survived our week of nights in the low 20's, but I'm not sure if it'll do well in zone 8). Michelia figo is hardier and should do fine for you though.

Have you thought of sending a vine up the pole? I planted a trumpet vine on the pole at my mother's house and it has gone up about 20 feet and there hasn't been any complaints from the power company. You have some very nice tropical trumpet vines to choose from.

umm a vine sounds good but I went with the banana shrub thanks so much everyone