Cercis canadensis (redbud) in the Ross Conifer Arboretum at NYBG; photo by Ivo Vermeulen
There are so many wonderful trees and shrubs available for your garden that offer year-round interest. Whether it's the flowers, fruit, bark or leaves, there are many options to choose from. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
TREES
The Glamour Queens
Botanical Name
Common Name
Acer griseum
paperbark maple
Acer palmatum
Japanese maple
Amelanchier canadensis
serviceberry
Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Morioka Weeping'
weeping katsura
Chionanthus retusis
Chinese fringetree
Cornus kousa
kousa dogwood
Lagerstroemia indica
crape myrtle
Magnolia x soulangiana
saucer magnolia
Oxydendrum arboreum
sourwood
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Korean stewartia
Syringa reticulata
tree lilac
Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese stewartia) at NYBG; photo by Marlon Co
Drought Tolerant
Botanical Name
Common Name
Aesculus pavia
red buckeye
Carpinus betulus
common or European hornbeam
Chionanthus virginicus and C. retusus
American and Chinese fringetrees
Koelreuteria paniculata
golden raintree
Oxydendrum arboreum
sourwood
Syringa reticulata
tree lilac
Beautiful Fall Foliage
Botanical Name
Common Name
Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Morioka Weeping'
weeping katusra
Cornus kousa
kousa dogwood
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Korean stewartia
Beautiful fall foliage of the shrub Enkianthus perulatus (white enkianthus) at NYBG
Beautiful Bark
Botanical Name
Common Name
Acer griseum
paperbark maple
Acer triflorum
three-flowered maple
Amelanchier canadensis
serviceberry
Lagerstroemia indica
crape myrtle
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Korean stewartia
Syringa reticulata
tree lilac
SHRUBS
Easy to Handle
Botanical Name
Common Name
Abelia 'Edward Goucher'
Edward Goucher abelia
Fothergilla gardenii
dwarf fothergilla
Hydrangea macrophylla
bigleaf hydrangea
Ilex crenata 'Helleri'
Japanese holly
Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite'
winterberry
Itea virginica
Virginia sweetspire
Rhododendron yakushimanum
Yakushimanum rhododendron
Spirea japonica
Japanese spirea
Viburnum trilobum 'Compactum'
American cranberrybush
Fancy Fall Foliage
Botanical Name
Common Name
Disanthus cercidifolius
disanthus
Enkianthus perulatus
white enkianthus
Hydrangea quercifolia
oakleaf hydrangea
Itea virginica
Virginia sweetspire
Lindera obtusiloba
Japanese spicebush
Rhododendron calendulaeum, arborescens, prinophyllum, vaseyi
native azaleas
Vaccinium corymbosum
highbush blueberry
Shade Tolerant
Botanical Name
Common Name
Abelia x grandiflora
glossy abelia
Aucuba japonica
Japanese aucuba
Corylopsis pauciflora
buttercup winter hazel
Hydrangea quercifolia
oakleaf hydrangea
Itea virginica
Virginia sweetspire
Rhododendron
rhododendron
Evergreen
Botanical Name
Common Name
Abelia x grandiflora
glossy abelia
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea Nana'
dwarf Japanese false cypress
Ilex meserveae
Meserve holly
Prunus laurocerasus
cherry laurel
Rhododendron
rhododendron