Abies koreana (Korean Fir) is a compact evergreen conifer that is garden-worthy. Featuring a conical to pyramidal habit, its horizontal branches are densely clad with short and broad, shiny, dark green needles with silvery white undersides. Abundant blue or purple cones are held upright along the branches on young trees, creating a lovely contrast against the deep green foliage. A slow grower, 4-6 in. per year (10-15 cm), its bark is dark tan-brown and slightly resinous. An excellent accent choice for the home landscape

Noted for its exfoliating bark and showy fall color, award-winning Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) is a small spreading deciduous tree that is highly desirable. The chestnut-brown bark of both its trunk and branches constantly peels into thin, tight curls, revealing brighter cinnamon-red wood beneath. Even the youngest stems contribute to this pleasing peeling bark effect. Equally attractive is the foliage of three-lobed leaves, typical of most Acers. Dark green above, but frosty blue-green underneath in spring and summer, the delicately textured leaves turn brilliant red and orange in the fall before shedding for the winter.

Noted for its ravishing exfoliating bark and showy fall color, award-winning Acer triflorum (Three-Flowered Maple) is a small deciduous tree that is a real treasure in the landscape. The light ash-brown bark on both its trunk and branches peels in vertical strips, revealing pale copper-brown wood beneath. Equally attractive is the foliage of trifoliate leaves. Green above, but gray-green underneath in spring and summer, it turns brilliant red and orange in the fall before shedding for the winter. Densely branched with an upright, roundish habit, this slow-growing maple tree is an outstanding four-season tree.

Compact, Betula nigra 'Little King' or Fox Valley River Birch, is a particularly handsome river birch prized for its attractive peeling bark. Pale salmon and reddish-brown at first, the bark exfoliates to reveal lighter inner bark. Vigorous and fast-growing, this dwarf cultivar forms a dense, deciduous, multi-stemmed tree with a uniform broad-pyramidal to broad-rounded habit. The foliage of leathery, diamond-shaped, bright green leaves deepens to dark green as the season progresses, before turning pale yellow in fall. Perfect for wet soils, 'Little King' can tolerate locations with drier soils.

Quite majestic, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula' (Nootka Cypress) is a medium-sized, evergreen conifer forming a strongly weeping, pyramidal tree. Hanging from spreading branches that sweep upwards at their tips, are long trailing curtains of dark gray-green foliage. When well sited, this Nootka Cypress is fast-growing and may easily add one or more feet (> 30 cm) in height and width per year. A pleasure to look at year-round, this elegant selection makes an excellent specimen conifer.

Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree) is a deciduous shrub or small tree which is spectacular in full bloom. In late spring or early summer, it is literally covered with delicate clouds of slightly fragrant, creamy-white flowers borne in long drooping panicles. As the blooms fade, the petals drop like snow on the ground. While the male flowers bear slightly longer petals and are showier, the female flowers give way to lovely clusters of dark blue fruit in late summer and are a food source for birds and wildlife. The foliage of wide, spear-shaped leaves turns golden-yellow in fall.

Award-winning Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi' (Kousa Dogwood) is an upright, spreading medium-sized deciduous shrub with 4 seasons of interest. In spring, a heavenly array of star-like blooms appear. They consist of four narrowly pointed deep pink bracts which surround the center cluster of tiny yellowish-green flowers. The blossoms give way to strawberry-like, rosy-pink fruits in summer, which persist into fall unless devoured by hungry birds. In summer, its canopy of layered branches, clad with oval, pointed, dark green leaves, provides shade and beauty. In the fall, it offers spectacular bright red color when its foliage turns attractive shades of scarlet. In winter, its exfoliating, mottled, tan, and gray bark adds interest to the landscape.

Remarkably ornamental and adaptable, Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry) is a deciduous shrub or small tree providing multiseason interest. In late winter to early spring, a profusion of small rounded clusters of tiny, bright yellow flowers open on the naked branches and will persist for several weeks. The showy blooms are followed by attractive glossy red, cherry-like fruits in midsummer. Edible, they may be used for syrups and preserves. Bushy, this small to medium-sized flowering tree sports oval dark green leaves which turn purple in the fall, before shedding to the ground and revealing the rough, rich brown, exfoliating bark.

Award-winning Magnolia 'Elizabeth' is a deciduous pyramidal tree with masses of large, cup-shaped, primrose yellow flowers, 8 in. across (20 cm), which appear to glow in early to mid-spring as the new leaves begin to unfurl. Slightly fragrant, the large blooms may last up to 4 weeks. They gradually fade to cream as they age. Emerging bronze, the large, glossy, oval leaves mature dark green before turning golden-yellow in fall. As the leaves fall, the smooth gray bark and furry buds are revealed, adding interest to the winter landscape.

Noted for its frost resistance, award-winning Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' is a vigorous medium-sized deciduous shrub or small tree of remarkable beauty when in full bloom. Opening from purple buds, the fragrant flowers, 4 in. across (10 cm), are deep pink with a delicate white tinge inside their 12 narrow tepals. The strap-like petals are similar to Star Magnolia, white on the inside and purplish pink on the outside. The flowers bloom profusely in early to mid-spring before the foliage of narrow, ovate leaves unfurl. Blooming later than the earliest Magnolias, the flowers of 'Leonard Messel' are less susceptible than most Magnolias to late frosts.

Award-winning Magnolia stellata 'Centennial' is a deciduous shrub or small tree of stunning beauty when in full bloom. Masses of fragrant, waterlily-shaped, pure white flowers, 5.5 in. across (14 cm), appear in late winter or early spring. The fragrant blossoms are packed with 28-33 tepals which are sometimes adorned with a light pink tinge. The overall effect of these many tepals is that of a starburst. The foliage of medium green leaves often turns yellow and brown in fall.

Regarded as an outstanding Flowering Crabapple, Malus 'Donald Wyman' is a large, spreading deciduous tree with a long season of interest. Opening from pink buds, masses of fragrant, single, white blossoms appear in mid-spring, just as the foliage is unfolding. They are followed by abundant clusters of cherry-like, glossy, red fruits, 0.4 in. (1 cm), which persist well into winter. Colorful and decorative, they are attractive to birds. The canopy of toothed, dark green leaves gives a fresh appearance all summer and turns gold in fall, before shedding to the ground. Highly disease resistant, elegant in flower, and colorful in fruit, 'Donald Wyman' stars in every season of the year.

A sight to behold, Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood) is a large deciduous coniferous tree of great beauty. It features an upright, narrowly conical form that enhances many landscapes. Delicate flat sprays of narrow, bright green leaves emerge in spring, and mature to emerald green in summer, before turning rich shades of yellow-brown, pink, apricot, and copper in the fall. Reddish on young trees, the bark on mature trees is darker, often deeply fissured, and attractively flared at the base. Oval, light brown female cones and pendant globose male cones are produced. A single specimen is an imposing sight.

A terrific ornamental shade tree and a standout in the fall, Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) is a small, slow-growing, stately, deciduous tree with a dense, pyramidal habit. In spring, tiny, inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers appear in clusters at the top of a long stalk. While not showy, they are a rich source of nectar for bees. They give way to small, juicy, dark blue fruits (edible but sour!) that ripen in late summer and are quite popular with many birds and mammals. In fall, its ovate, extremely glossy, dark green leaves turn striking scarlet, orange, purple and gold tones, often on the same branch, for a spectacular display. Even the distinctive bark, which furrows with age and resembles alligator hide, adds visual and textural interest.

Pinus parviflora 'Glauca' (Japanese White Pine) is a small evergreen coniferous tree of dense, conical habit when young, but develops into a wide-spreading, irregularly shaped tree, with a broad, flattened canopy. The foliage of stiff, curved, silver-blue needles is presented in tufts at the branch tips, adding charm to this picturesque tree. Very conspicuous, the abundant brownish-red cones open when ripe and persist up to 6 years, adding further interest. Adding up to 12 in. per year (30 cm), this cultivar of Japanese White Pine creates a striking landscape element wherever it is planted and makes a terrific specimen tree.

Noted for its attractive exfoliating bark, fall color and delicate blooms, award-winning Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia) is a small deciduous tree with multiseason interest. Delicate, cup-shaped, white flowers, 2.5 in. wide (6 cm), adorned with showy orange-yellow anthers appear in early summer in the leaf axils. Resembling camellias, they open in succession for a long-lasting display. The foliage of ovate, dark green leaves in summer turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and burgundy in fall. The shedding of leaves exposes the flaky, multicolored bark that peels in strips of gray, orange, and reddish brown, adding winter interest. Slow-growing, Japanese Stewartia features an elegant pyramidal habit and is one of the glories of the garden.