Summer Skies Butterfly Bush

Variegated plants are a wonderful way to add more interest to your landscape, and Summer Skies butterfly bush (Buddleia x 'Summer Skies') rings true to that statement. The cultivar has subtle green and creamy margined leaves, which stay variegated all summer long. "Lavender blue spikes of flowers await the butterflies all summer," says Roethling.

Purple Haze Butterfly Bush

Part of a series of butterfly bushes with short growing habits, Purple Haze (Buddleia x 'Purple Haze') was one of the first of its kind to hit the market. "Blue-green leaves emerge from bare stems in spring giving rise to pale purple, arching flowers," says Roethling. "This one has more of a loose habit overall."

Grand Cascade Butterfly Bush

By early June, large panicles with an arching habit form all over Grand Cascade butterfly bush (Buddleia 'Grand Cascade'). Though the plant can survive with minimal watering once established, during periods of drought it should be watered as it may become prone to spider mites, says Roethling.

Weeping Redbud

Weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a native tree that does very well in eastern North America. "Come early spring, tiny lavender-purple, pea-shaped flowers are borne along the stems," says Adrienne Roethling, the garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. 'Ruby Falls' and 'Lavender Twist' are two popular cultivars. This tree does not like wet feet, especially during winter, so make sure you plant it in an area with good drainage.

Weeping Higan Cherry

Weeping higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’) is one of the earliest flowering cherries to bloom in spring. "They produce pale pink, rose-like flowers weeks before leaves emerge," says Roethling. "When the leaves do emerge, they are clear green and somewhat elongated and held on arching branches, offering a picturesque canopy for the summer months."

Nootka Cypress Trees

Weeping Nootka cypress (Callitropsis nootkatensis 'Pendula') has beautiful arching branches with scale-like leaves that hang in graceful pendulous sprays. Although it's native to the Pacific coast, it tolerates heat and humidity very well. "The color of the sprays are green but pick up a hint of blue-grey," says Roethling. "It’s one of those plants that needs to stand alone so that one can take in the magnitude of its perfection."

Weeping Peach Red Trees

Another beautiful spring bloomer that weeps is the weeping peach tree (Prunus persica ‘Pink Cascade’). "The flowers are double, rose-like blossoms that are bright pink and cover the branches like a blanket," says Roethling. "Shortly after the flowers have finished, the thin, narrow leaves emerge with a copper hue." Despite its name, this tree rarely produces peaches. "They often produce a thick skin, a seed, and nothing in between," says Roethling.

Weeping Willow Trees

Perhaps the most popular of the weeping varieties, weeping willow (Salix babylonica) has pendulous, arching branches that produce a canopy-like effect. This quick grower is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring and the last to lose leaves come fall, giving you multiple seasons of interest. Prune heavy branches to help with breakage.

Acer Crimson Queen

A delicate and more petite variety of maple, acer crimson queen (palmatum var. dissectum) has a cascading structure that offers spring through fall interest. "This low-maintenance tree adds vivid color and textural interest and fits nicely in mixed beds as an accent or understory plant and in containers," says Kelly Funk, president of Jackson & Perkins.

Marley's Pink Japanese Snowbell

This variety of Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus) has a more reliable weeping habit than most, says Funk. This cultivar also has larger, glossier leaves that are accented by dainty pink flowers that bloom from May to June and have a cotton-candy scent. Beyond how beautiful it is, Marley's Pink Japanese Snowbell has resistance to disease and pests and can live 40 years or more.

Himalayan Cedar Trees

Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) has weeping branches that become wide and spreading as it matures. Known as one of the most graceful conifers, this tree looks beautiful in landscape groupings or as a privacy screen. It has year-round gray-green leaves that provide interest throughout winter.

Cercis Golden Falls, Flowers Trees

Cercis Golden Falls has lavender-pink flowers that bloom in spring, followed by large, orange-tipped leaves that age to a bright and colorfast golden yellow, says Funk. Its narrow and graceful weeping form and slow growth rate make it an ideal option for small spaces, or you can plant it in groupings.

Green Giant Arborvitae Trees

Those seeking a super quick yard transformation may want to get their hands on green giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata). "This is one of the fastest-growing trees," says Teri Valenzuela, natural science manager at Sunday. "With its tall, conical shape, it’s perfect for quickly creating a thick, green wall to keep your yard private."

Rocky Mountain Juniper Skyrocket

If you like the Rocky Mountain juniper but want a variety that grows faster, the skyrocket cultivar (Juniperus scopulorum) is the way to go. It’s still not the fastest-growing conifer on this list, but it’s a nice alternative to the original. The Skyrocket has a slender silhouette with dense, silvery blue needles and is best suited as an accent tree.

Norway Spruce

You may recognize the majestic silhouette and piney foliage of the Norway spruce (Picea abies) because it’s the chosen Christmas tree for New York City’s Rockefeller Center every year. It’s an especially fast-growing tree (specifically when it’s young) that grows extremely wide, too. "The tree offers beautiful pendulous–or dropping–branches that further the tree’s iconic look," Frese says.

Eastern White Pine Tree

Named after its smooth, pale-colored bark, the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) grows tall and straight and showcases long and flexible needles grouped in bundles of five. It has a graceful appearance that makes it an elegant addition to any yard, particularly as an ornamental accent. The growth is slow in its first few years, but after that, it takes off.

Western Red Cedar Leaf

Given its mature size—topping out at around 200 feet—this giant cedar (Thuja plicata) isn’t for every yard. However, if you have the space then it’s a striking option to incorporate onto your property. This quick-growing conifer has dense, fan-like foliage that ranges from rich green to reddish-brown, and it takes on a broad pyramid shape.

Monkey Puzzle Tree

For an absolutely show-stopping conifer, look no further than the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana). "There’s no other conifer tree like this species," says Eric Preston Stout, expert gardener and landscaper at TeachMe.To. "It is a spiral arrangement, radially spreading evergreen with leaves that resemble a Fibonacci sequence." The whorled leaves also have a spiky, scale-like quality to them. It's definitely an ornamental choice versus a hedging option. Also, it’s best to plant an already established tree since it’s very slow-growing in its early years. Once mature, however, it starts taking off.

Douglas Fir Tree

This tall tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii) has soft, needle-like leaves that develop in a beautiful spiral pattern. It’s considered one of the most popular options for Christmas trees thanks to its classic pyramid shape, fragrance, and gentle needles. This fast-growing conifer is also beautiful in yards as either an accent or privacy screen thanks to its dense, year-round foliage.

European Larch Tree

This beautiful tree is one of the few deciduous conifer trees on Earth, meaning its leaves change colors in the fall and then drop. The European larch (Larix decidua) grows in a pyramid shape and produces soft, bright green needles that turn to a striking golden-yellow hue come autumn. “[It offers] the best fall color tree out of all conifers,” says Preston Stout, expert gardener and landscaper at TeachMe.To.

Bollywood Azalea Flowers

Some small shrubs make a splash with their leaves,  while others “wow” with their flowers. However, if you want to lean into the “more is more” aesthetic, you can’t go wrong with a Bollywood azalea (Rhododendron ‘Farrow’).  This option might be small—it only grows to be about 3 feet tall—but it has variegated leaves and bright pink flowers that command attention. Another thing to love about this semi-evergreen? It’s a total magnet for bees and butterflies, which will give your space an idyllic edge.

Little Lime Hydrangea Flowers

Craving a “wow” moment? Though these shrubs only grow to be 3 to 5 feet tall, their poofy, conical clusters of flowers are the horticultural equivalent of costume jewelry. “They produce beautiful pale green and white flowers that transition to light pink and mauve in the fall, providing extended seasonal interest,” Niemann says. “These blooms dry well, offering winter beauty and making excellent cut flowers.”

Dwarf Korean Lilac Flowers

Tapping out at about 5 feet tall, dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa Meyeri 'Palibin') might be one of the bigger options on this list; however, several gardening pros said this option shouldn’t be overlooked. “The dwarf Korean lilac is known for its fragrant, lavender-pink flowers that bloom profusely in late spring,” says Tony O’Neill, author, expert horticulturist, and founder of Simplify Gardening. “It's a fantastic choice for adding fragrance and color to your garden." To make your lilacs stand out, O’Neill recommends pruning immediately after flowering to promote healthy growth and blooming.

Spirea flowers

For a jolt of color that has a hint of whimsy, you might want to consider a spirea shrub or two. O’Neill is partial to the “gold mound” spirea (Spiraea Japonica), which has vibrant yellow foliage and clusters of pink flowers. Though this species only grows 2 to 3 feet, its can’t-miss scheme will make it stand out. “It's a low-maintenance shrub that adds a pop of color throughout the growing season,” he adds. It’s easy to manage, too: Once this shrub is established, it’s low-maintenance, drought-resistant, and requires minimal pruning.

Buddleja Tutti Frutti Flowers

Speaking of animal-attracting shrubs, consider adding a buddleja tutti frutti to your garden. (These colorful, flowering plants are so notorious for drawing butterflies near them that it’s literally nicknamed “butterfly bush.”) Of course, there’s more to this option than its critter-commanding capabilities. “This wonderfully well-behaved, compact 'butterfly bush' only grows to a neat and compact 24 to 28 inches tall,” says Pim Dickson, horticulturist expert at a garden retailer called Mr Fothergill’s. “Reliable and easy to grow, with its luminously bright fuchsia-pink flower spikes, this is a stunning yet exceptionally versatile little shrub, ideal for any size planting scheme, patio borders, and containers.”

Silverbush flowers

As the Silverbush (Convolvulus Cneorum) proves, you don’t need bright blooms to make a statement. This compact shrub, which can typically grow up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, offers plenty of visual intrigue with its trumpeted flowers. “The leaves provide a lovely contrast to the green shades of other garden plants, to get the very best out of both,” Dickson says.  “It shows good drought tolerance, so is perfect for patio containers or as a focal point in small borders or dots planted in larger schemes.”  The only drawback to this shrub is it’s not fully frost-hardy, so it’s best to place it in a sunny, sheltered spot so it can survive the winter.

Bearberry flowers

Anyone who is looking to keep pesky weeds at bay will find a lot to love about a bearberry shrub (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi). These low-slung perennials typically max out at 6 to 12 inches high, making them an excellent choice for ground cover. But don’t write this small shrub off as “strictly practical” just yet: This species often produces small, cherry-like berries that add to their curb appeal. (These berries are edible—and bears reportedly love them—but humans tend to find them tasteless.) Best of all? They’re relatively low-maintenance and are even salt-resistant, making them a great choice for anyone who lives near the ocean.

Butterfly Bush, Purple Beautiful Flowers

Ornamental, hardy, and self-reliant, butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) brings the whole package to a landscape. Coker likes its range of bloom colors, including blues, purples, pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and whites. And while humans and pollinators love this deciduous shrub's fragrance, which ranges from honey to lilac, it's a turn-off to deer. Of note: A prolific reseeder, butterfly bush is considered a noxious weed in some regions.

Crape Myrtle Flowers

What good Southerner wouldn't give a shout-out to crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)? This shrub graces parks, landscapes, and highways throughout the region with showy blooms from July to September. Coker's a fan, especially of dark-leaf cultivars like 'Delta Jazz' and 'Sequoyah.' Most varieties put on gorgeous fall color shows, too.

Spirea Leaf Flowers Trees

Spiraea spp. comes in a range of colors and sizes, from big, old-fashioned bridal wreath (Spiraea prunifolia), with its cascading clusters of tiny white flowers, to tiny 'Golden Elf,' at just 6 to 8 inches tall. Depending on the species, spirea makes an elegant focal point or tidy accent shrub.