I like some rare species and cultivars. Here are a few:
Satsuki azalea, ‘Kinsai’:
Japanese White Pine, ‘Zuisho’:
Less rare, but uncommon Chinese Quince, Pseudocydonia chinensis:
Probably the rarest is this variety of Itoigawa Shimpaku called Kiyozuru. I cannot find any provenance beyond Mas Ishi at Chikugo-en, even his son Gary didn’t really know where it came from, and acknowledged he was down to only a few left at his nursery. I have let It grow out to start cuttings this spring, but so far, I’m not sure that it’s a superior variety of Itoigawa, just rarer. I hand picked and purchased this from Gary at the nursery in LA, so at least the provenance of this one is secure.