'Texture, color, and layers of interesting foliage': Inside Martha Stewart's breathtaking pinetum filled with unusual specimens to inspire your yard

'Texture, color, and layers of interesting foliage – that’s what one can find in my growing pinetum, an arboretum of pine trees and other conifers I planted in an area under my weeping willows,' Martha Stewart says alongside a photo of the stunning landscape.

Martha has long shaped our gardening habits, but her pinetum is one of the finest examples of her abilities, proving why she is the first and original influencer.

The garden guru has spent decades perfecting the gardens around her property portfolio, from the Hamptons to her iconic Bedford farmhouse – but her pinetum is one of the finest examples of her artistry that I've seen to date.

'I add more specimens to this collection every year – some are very rare and slow growing, but I love the variety of plantings I’ve amassed,' Martha comments. 'I hope it inspires you to plant more unusual specimens in your garden.'

Shop Martha Stewart's garden essentials

If you're going to grow rare specimens in your yard, you could do far worse than use Martha-designed tools to assist you with the job. I've rounded up her essentials here.

'On her blog, Martha explains the process behind the beautiful scene we see today, and, while we can't all enjoy a pinetum on such a scale as hers, we can still use it to feel inspired to experiment with more unusual specimens that will complement our own environment.

Over the years, I have designed many gardens. One area that is constantly evolving is my pinetum – an arboretum of pine trees and other conifers I planted in a field behind my large Equipment Barn and near my weeping willow grove. This collection has grown extremely well, and I continue to add additional specimens every year,' Martha writes.

In the decades she has owned her farm, Martha has filled her pinetum with pine trees, but she has also included many spruces, firs, and other unique evergreens that add stunning texture to her land.

'I add more specimens to this collection every year – some are very rare and slow growing, but I love the variety of plantings I’ve amassed. This past spring, I began developing this area of the pinetum, adding more interesting specimens,' Martha comments.

Martha ends by saying she hopes her planting will inspire us to experiment with more unusual specimens, even if it's on a much more compact scale.

If you're working with a small garden, I would suggest working with unusual or sculptural trees that make a significant impact without taking up too much space. Consider dwarf conifers, multi-stemmed maples, or variegated or weeping forms of familiar species. Above all, remember it takes a long time to achieve such results, but as Martha's yard reminds us, it's worth it.