Beautiful Dwarf Bottlebrush Flowers

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 Flowers

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 Flowers

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.

Minuet Mountain Laurel

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 Flowers

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.

Dapper Lavender Butterfly Bush

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."

Soft Caress Mahonia

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."

Yewtopia Plum Yew

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."

How to Remove Bushes and Small Trees

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."

Flowering Dogwood

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."

Umbrella Pine Plant

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."

Crabapple flowers tree

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.

Eastern Redbud Flowers

A sign that spring has sprung, Eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensi) bloom before leafing out, putting on a display of showy pinkish-purple flowers. "In older specimens, they will even flower on the trunks," says Altenburger. "Various varieties are available from variegated foliage to weeping, and even ones with white blooms."

Kousa Dogwood Plants

Another dogwood variety with big curb appeal, kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) provides multi-season interest. "The kousa dogwood offers a stunning display of delicate pink or white flowers in spring, complemented with late summer fruit and reddish-purple foliage during the fall season," says Hesseltine. "This tree is a disease-resistant alternative to the flowering dogwood, ensuring its longevity and beauty for years." Water newly planted kousa dogwood deeply and regularly to promote healthy root growth.

Fringe Tree

Known for its fragrant white blooms that appear in late spring, the fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) produces beautiful blue-purple fruits after it flowers. "As a native tree to Eastern North America, it requires minimal maintenance, making it a hassle-free, and stunning addition to your landscape," says Hesseltine.

Saucer Magnolia Flowers Plant

A hybrid of two other magnolias, saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) will be the showstopper of your landscape come early spring. "It does well in wet conditions and will continually rejuvenate itself as it gets older by sending up new sprouts as the larger stems die or decline," says Altenburger. "They are available in many varieties with different color flowers and forms."

Paperbark Maple Tree

The foliage of paperbark maple (Acer griseum) isn't the only beautiful part of the tree—it's actually highly sought after for its bark. "Even young trees will have a golden orange-to-brown, flaky bark that only gets better with age," says Altenburger. "They are a fairly upright ornamental maple that can fit in most front yards, even when given a small footprint to grow in."

Blackhaw Viburnum Flowers Plant

Blackhaw viburnum  (Viburnum prunifolium) has a unique shape that adds a distinctive touch to any landscape. It showcases cream-colored flowers and plump, blue fall fruits. "Notably, the tree's fruits are edible for both wildlife and humans," says Hesseltine. "Water newly planted trees deeply and regularly to promote healthy roots."

Oakleaf Hydrangea Plants

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is one of the most beautiful shrubs to grow in the landscape. "It provides year-round interest with dried flower heads and attractive peeling bark in winter," says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. It produces large panicles of white flowers that mature to shades of pink from late spring to summer.

Carolina Rose Flowers

Carolina rose (Rose carolina) is great for privacy, but it's also beautiful to look at. From late spring to summer, it produces showy, fragrant pink flowers with a yellow center. The red rosehips attract birds, and the thorny branches provide protection for shelter and nests, says Phillips. It can be planted in a row to create a living fence, creating a natural separation that still lets some light and air through.