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."