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.