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.

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."

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.

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.

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."

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  (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 (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 (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.

Create a fast-growing privacy screen with viburnum. “Different varieties and species offer stunning visual appeal, whether through vibrant flowers, attractive fall foliage, or the shifting colors of new foliage growth," says Jim Putnam, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection. "Viburnum is a real showstopper, especially if you plant it in a sunny spot where the new leaves can put on their best color."

Plum pine (Podocarpus) is an evergreen shrub with foliage that creates a year-round privacy screen. "Podocarpus is like having a living fence that puts on a colorful show throughout the year," says Putnam. "With its fast growth and easy maintenance, you'll be enjoying a lush, green barrier in no time. Plus, it tolerates some shade, making it a versatile option for many landscapes."

Holly (Ilex) is a beloved shrub that has year-round interest. There are many varieties of holly that grow to be quite tall, forming a solid barrier in the yard. "Hollies are low-maintenance too, so once they’re established, they offer plenty of beauty with little hassle," says Putnam.

Forsythia is one of the earliest bloomers in the garden, arriving in late winter to early spring. "Forsythia shrubs feature vibrant yellow bell-shaped flowers that appear before leaves emerge on the branches," says Kelly Funk, president for Jackson & Perkins. "The shrubs are fast-growing and have an upright arching habit."

A fast-growing, woody evergreen, thuga has dense foliage characterized by its conical shape. "Thuja is good for privacy because it is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that produces dense foliage that can provide privacy year-round," says Funk. "Prune in early spring to maintain desired height and shape."

Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is a deciduous flowering shrub that produces colorful blooms and attractive foliage. "The plant features long, arching branches covered with clusters of small, fragrant flowers," says Funk. "The flowers come in various colors, including purple, pink, white, and yellow, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators." It's a dense, fast grower that should be regularly pruned in late winter or spring to ensure it maintains its shape.

Weigela has arched branches that are covered in red and pink blooms from late spring to early summer. The foliage is typically deep green, burgundy, or purple and can be variegated. "Due to its dense foliage and upright growth, weigela is ideal for privacy screening," says Funk. "Pruning after flowering maintains shape and encourages future blooms."