Magnolia trees (Magnolia) can be much smaller than you might think. "While most gardeners think of native magnolias as large majestic trees, there are several dwarf selections that fit well in a small space garden," says Nardozzi. He has a variety called 'Jane' on his property. "It has stayed below 12 feet tall after 10 years of growth with showy purple flowers that repeat bloom," he says. Another option he recommends is the variety 'Little Gem,' which is a good Southern dwarf magnolia with white flowers and evergreen leaves, he says.

Another fruit-bearing dwarf tree to consider in your garden is the everbearing mulberry (Morus nigra). "Dwarf mulberries are fast-growing trees that produce a long, dark fruit that tastes like a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry," says Tucker Taylor, culinary gardener at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens in Sonoma, California. "They are one of the oldest cultivated fruits grown in ancient times by the Greeks and Romans." Dwarf everbearing mulberry varieties can be grown in containers as well.

If you love citrus but don't have space for a large citrus tree, try finger limes (Citrus australasica), also known as citrus caviar. They produce finger-shaped round, tart fruit. "Finger limes are one of my favorite citrus varieties to grow in temperate climates," says Taylor. Grow in a south-facing sunny area with minimal exposure to wind or frost.

With beautiful flowers in the summer and peeling bark in the winter, the seven-son tree (Heptacodium miconioides) is striking year-round. "It produces clusters of fragrant, white flowers in late summer and fall on a birch-like shaped tree," says Eaton. "It's a favorite of butterflies."

The cultivar Thuja Fluffy is a North American native tree and is resistant to windburn, making it an excellent choice for borders, says Kelly Funk, president of  Jackson & Perkins, a full-service nursery. Grow in moist, well-drained soil and choose an area that has full sun to partial shade.

Weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis)  produces tiny pink-hued blooms in the spring, and 'Pink Heartbreaker' is a dwarf cultivar of this favorite tree. "Bower & Branch introduced 'Pink Heartbreaker' about 15 years ago, and the original discovered plant is still only 7 feet tall and about 15 feet wide," says Eaton. "These trees are more hardy than regular redbuds [and] are a great focal point, patio tree, or window tree!"

A slow-growing deciduous shrub, dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenia) has a compact, mounded habit. Terminal bottlebrush-like spikes produce white flowers and yellow anthers that fill gardens with interest in April and May. "This plant has suckers. They need to be removed if you do not want colonies of these shrubs," says Langelo.

Dwarf chenille (Acalypha reptans) is a heat-loving, trailing evergreen shrub with crimson flower spikes above ovate dark green leaves. Langelo recommends deadheading the flower buds immediately after the blooms die to stimulate re-bloom.

Dwarf bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis) is a showy evergreen shrub with elongated flower spikes and long bristle-like stamens—hence the name says Langelo. This beautiful, low-growing shrub provides nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Dwarf crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a deciduous shrub with terminal, crepe-papery inflorescences of showy flowers with crimped petals, says Langelo. The leaves emerge as green with a tinge of red and fade to yellow-orange-red by fall. "Be sure to water at ground level as watering the foliage can scorch it," says Langelo.

Garland flower (Daphne cneorum) is a beautiful shrub with spoon-shaped leaves and fragrant pink flowers that put on a show until fall. "Deadhead spent blossoms after flowering to encourage reblooming," says Langelo.

A multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, minuet mountain laurel (Lalmia latifolia  'Minuet') has a rounded habit with cup-shaped flowers that bloom from May through June. This plant can tolerate a broad range of light conditions, so you can plant it just about anywhere in your garden.

Snow girl gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides 'WAH-LM') has finely textured, glossy, dark green leaves that form a spreading mound in the garden. "It has an abundant display of fragrant, single, white flowers that bloom in early summer, then periodically until frost," says Kristen Pullen, woody ornamental portfolio manager for Star Roses and Plants.

Butterfly bush is a pollinator-friendly plant that will welcome bees, butterflies, and birds to your garden. For a low-growing variety, try Dapper Lavender Buddleia (Buddleia davidii 'Buddaplav'). "A rounded, compact habit makes this Buddleia a perfect fit for a variety of uses," says Pullen. "Light purple flowers are formed in early summer and continue to re-bloom into the fall. Spent flowers are hidden by new blooms, reducing the need for deadheading."

For winter interest, try 'Soft Caress' Mahonia (Mahonia eurybracteata ‘Soft Caress’ PP20183). "An evergreen that produces cheery yellow flowers in winter, its soft bamboo-like foliage, low height, and shade tolerance mean it can be planted near shaded outdoor seating areas and patios without the painful prickles of traditional mahonia varieties," says Linda Vater on behalf of Southern Living Plant Collection and Butterfly Cand Buddleia. "Its slender, feathery foliage catches the breeze, creating a unique textural and movement element in the landscape."

A naturally compact selection, Yewtopia plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Plania’) offers dark green to emerald green needle-like foliage. "A dense grower prized for its excellent shade tolerance, it adds short structure and rich texture to the landscape and makes an ideal border or mass planting selection," says Vater. "The branches on this variety angle gently upward into an attractive, soft U-shape."

There are many reasons why someone would want to remove a tree or shrub from their landscape. "The most common reason is because of a pest or disease infestation," says Patrick Joyce, nursery manager at Longwood Gardens. "This is necessary to not only maintain aesthetics, but to prevent spreading to other plants."

If you prefer growing native plants in your landscape, flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a great variety to turn to. "Native to the majority of the eastern United States, dogwoods enhance curb appeal year-round, showcasing plump white, yellow or pink flowers in early spring," says Tyler Hesseltine of The Davey Tree Expert Company. "Its bright red fruit attracts birds, adding an extra touch of liveliness to any landscape."

Evergreen conifers like umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) are a timeless choice for front yards. "It has large, coarse needles that grow in whorls while the trunk gets a reddish, stringy bark," says Tyler Altenburger, arborist manager at Longwood Gardens. "Dwarf varieties are available for tighter landscapes."

Bring a burst of color to your landscape with a sprawling crabapple (Malus). "Crabapples are a curb appeal staple, with their spring flowers in red, pink, or white, followed by the colorful fruits and leaves that adorn them in autumn," says Hesseltine. "Plus, they are native to North America, making them the perfect food resource and habitat for local songbirds and pollinators." Be sure to select a variety that is labeled as disease-resistant.