Coastal Red Cedar Theres

Coastal red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola) boasts beautiful, slightly weeping branches with blueberry-like cones on the ends. This tree grows well in coastal areas and is drought-tolerant, so it's ideal for warmer climates.

Zone: 7 to 11
Mature size: 30 to 40 feet tall x 25 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-draining, sandy soil

Nellie Stevens Holly Trees

Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex 'Nellie Stevens Holly') has dark green pointed leaves and is distinguished by its red berries. Holly varieties are generally dioecious, meaning the female plants have the fruit and benefit from having male plants pollinate them, says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center.

Zone: 6 to 9
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall x 8 to 25 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; acidic, well-draining soil

Italian Cypress Trees

A wonderful evergreen tree for creating a natural fence, Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) has a very upright, tall and narrow form with attractive blue-green foliage. Keep in mind that mites, bagworms, and root rot can be common issues when growing Italian cypress, says Abdi. This tree generally does better in drier climates.

Zone: 7 to 10
Mature size: 40 to 70 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

Wax Myrtle Trees

Great for welcoming pollinators to your yard, wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) boasts attractive glossy leaves and flowerysthat aren't showy, but can be fragrant, says Abdi. The evergreen tree also produces waxy silver-blue fruits that have a welcoming aroma.

Leyland Cypress Trees

This quick-growing tree is often used for hedges or privacy screens and looks incredible in backyards. Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii) typically has attractive blue-green foliage, but some cultivars are more yellow in color, says Abdi. It's susceptible to a wide range of pests, so it may be higher maintenance than other fast-growing evergreens.

Zone: 6 to 10
Mature size: 60 to 70 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; tolerates a range of soil conditions

Dahoon Holly Trees

Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) is an upright grower that produces red berries. "Like other hollies, this is dioecious," says Abdi. If you grow this holly tree in your yard, be sure to protect the roots, especially after planting, as they are quite sensitive.

Zone: 7 to 11
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Yoshino Cherry Tree (Prunus x Yedoensis)

You can enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms in your own yard—no spring trip necessary. A seasonal stunner, the Yoshino cherry tree produces a profusion of white-pink blossoms on bare branches and has a faint almond fragrance.  "This tree, also known as the Japanese flowering cherry, is the main event at many cherry blossom festivals around the world," says Nicole Shah, a gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls. "In summer, you will enjoy the tree's vase-shaped canopy and glossy green leaves."

Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia Speciosa)

The Mexican Buckeye is a beautiful deciduous tree with multiple trunks that displays a profusion of aromatic, light pink or mauve-hued flowers. "It blooms from late spring through summer, and during this time, its leaves turn into a captivating deep bronze hue," says Thomas. "The tree's exquisite blooms also serve as a host for a wide variety of butterflies, enhancing the beauty of your garden."

White Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

No matter the season, the white dogwood is ready to put on a show. "In spring, it produces white flowers," says Shah. The blooms, which are a mainstay from March through May, are actually "bracts" or modified leaves featuring small blooms at the center. These are a thick, creamy white with a golden-green bud; pink spots tend to appear on the tips of each petal.

Bottlebrush (Callistemon Rigidus)

Also referred to as Callistemon trees, bottlebrush trees are characterized by their peculiar and fuzzy bright red flower spikes that resemble, well, a bottlebrush! Thomas says that this eye-catching tree is one of his absolute favorites since it feels uniquely different from other flowering trees and plants. "The leaves of Callistemon rigidus are narrow, lance-shaped, and grow up to 4 inches long. They have a leathery texture and are dark green in color, providing a beautiful contrast to the tree's showy flowers," Thomas says. "The bottlebrush-like flower spikes of Callistemon rigidus are about 3 to 4 inches long, and bloom in shades of pink to red."

Flowering Crabapple (Malus 'Royalty') Trees

For a real garden showstopper, look no further than the gorgeous flowering crabapple. The Royalty variety produces purple-meets-crimson flowers, which are striking all on their own. The addition of a deep, dark foliage adds more richness of color. Sherlock says that the flowers and fruits produced by the tree are very attractive to bees and wildlife. Their size makes them a great focal point of any garden, though they're a particularly great pick for smaller yards.

The seeds of these trees are quite easily located—inside the fruits they produce, of course—but note that they can take about three to five years to produce flowers. It's well worth the wait if you have the patience.

Itoh Peony Flowers

Many peonies can be grown with little to no problems with disease, especially when planted in the correct location. But a new class of peonies—a cross between tree peonies and garden peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa x Paeonia lactiflora)—have superior disease resistance. In spring, the plant re-grows long, woody stems. "At the end of May, large buds open to a bright yellow mass of petals," says Adrienne Roethling.

Purple Coneflower and Butterfly

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has it all—it's heat-, drought-, and disease-resistant, plus it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. Two varieties that are known for being especially hardy are Pow Wow Wild Berry and Pow Wow White. "They emerge in spring with a rosette of elongated leaves, quickly giving rise to stalks of brilliant pink or pure white daisy-like flowers," says Adrienne Roethling. "The center or cone are cinnamon in color and quite large—a pollinator's delight."

Profusion Zinnias Red Flowers

Looking for a summer flowering annual with a long bloom period? Zinnias are just that—and they draw a variety of pollinators. "When flowers are in full bloom, they attract an array of bees, beetles, butterflies, and moths," says Adrienne Roethling. When choosing a variety, opt for disease-resistant profusion zinnias (Zinnia elegans 'Profusion'). "The profusion series is a hybrid with results that include medium sized, colorful blooms on short stems," she says. They are also self-cleaning, meaning there is no deadheading required.

Garden Phlox, Flowers

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial, certain varieties of garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) have been cultivated to be mildew-free. One example is Jeana garden phlox. "The individual flowers are smaller than most other garden phlox, but that does not deter butterflies from feeding on its nectar," says Sorensen. This variety is highly coveted for its ecological value and is native to the eastern United States.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 5 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; average, well-drained soil

Largeleaf Phlox, Flowers

Largeleaf phlox (Phlox amplifolia) is a sun-tolerant plant that's resistant to powdery mildew, a fungal disease that affects many flowers. The native plant produces underground runners that slowly spread to form a large mass. "Blooming in early summer, the airy pink inflorescences are held 1 to 2 feet above the mass of foliage and continue to bloom for about six weeks," says Leirion Sorensen, the gardens manager at Mt. Cuba Center.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 44 inches tall x 36 inches wide
Growing conditions: full sun to part shade; loamy, well-drained soil

Portulaca beautiful flowers

Portulaca is a pretty choice for a simple, drought-resistant ground cover, producing many 1-inch flowers in shades of yellow, red, pink, orange, and white. It tolerates poor soil and does not want much care, says Awat. Generally speaking, it can grow where most flowers can't, and grows best in hot, dry areas—so if you're in the desert area, it may be the best bet for your garden goals.

Lantana beautiful flowers

For gardeners who crave color and vibrancy, this plant creates gorgeous clusters of brightly colored flowers that open to one shade and then fade to another. "It is a mounding plant, which makes it good for bedding and hanging baskets and planters," Awot says, adding that this annual loves the heat and is very drought tolerant. "It can also tolerate sea spray so it does well near the beach," she says. Lantana requires well-draining soil and full sun to thrive, but can multiply in the summer heat without much care.

Gaillardia flowers

Do you have a sunshine-flooded front yard that is begging for a little bit of rainbow dusting? If so, Awot suggests this colorful, drought-resistant, sun-loving perennial. "Known for its daisy-like appearance, this stunner offers blooms with vibrant colors that will brighten your garden bed," she says. "Gaillardia are extremely drought tolerant and make for an excellent middle-of-the-border option in the cottage garden, and for naturalizing in a wildflower meadow."

Bee Balm (Monarda) Flowers

For gardeners with lofty visions of fragrant flowers and fresh produce grown in their backyard, it's worth adding this drought-resistant plant to your space. As Awot explains, Monarda is a type of perennial pollinator plant that is drought-tolerant and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden with its vibrant flowers. "Given Bee Balm thrives in full sunlight or partial shade, it's suitable to handle the sun's heat, while adding a beautiful pop of color to your yard," she says. "You'll find Bee Balm offered in various color options like white, pink, red, lavender, and purple."