My first two thoughts are japanese maple (everyone has one!) or crepe myrtle if it gets enough sun and you are at least zone 6.

I wonder how my new favorite serviceberry would do there.

Welcome to gardenweb btw and oh, you really need some hostas :)

I've been browsing the boards and thought of a serviceberry, but it seems like they get quite large and require quite a bit of pruning...but I haven't ruled it out...
Yes! My beds are pretty bare right now, won't be long and my teeny I'm-on-a-budget plants start to fill in the space. :) I've got spirea and salvia in the front of what will be a knockout hedge....

I was going to suggest an All-In-One Almond Tree - a beautiful, flowering semi-dwarf nut tree that only grows to about 15' - but I think your state is too cold for it.
http://www.willisorchards.com/product/All-In-One+Almond+Tree#.UagWmpywXLc

Well, if you plant it away from the house at the outer edge of your flower bed, you MIGHT consider a native pawpaw tree (although it could grow up to 25'). It grows in a pyramidal shape and has delicious fruit!

You might also consider some smaller species of persimmon trees, too?

Here is a link that might be useful: Pawpaw Trees

I'm really intrigued by the almond tree suggestion, and I'm in zone 7, so it should do ok. Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

Oh, well if you're Zone 7 then this could be a prime candidate to at least try..
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fruit/msg1018520420693.html

They can take a nice ornamental shape (heavy pruning helps), bloom beautifully in the Spring and then (self-pollinating) bear almonds in September to October...
http://www.cottagefarmsdirect.com/ViewProduct.aspx?P=2132

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:363523}}

kjak jksajf lkjakkd kaj kjaskfk jkajf

fkljfkj kljasfklj

;la;f j

This post was edited by conon on Sun, Jun 2, 13 at 21:28

Thanks for all the suggestions! Not sure what happened to conon's post, but I love the paperbark maple idea, maybe not for my beds, but the front yard needs one or two.

How large is the area? I feel a more medium sized tree that would sprawl out over the lawn a bit would look really good, but that may need to be pruned away from the house and grow too large... something like a Eastern Redbud or Yoshimo Cherry. Of course the old reliable Japanese Maple has already been mentioned and a Weeping Cherry would be nice too.

I'm still in the decision faze, checking out everyone's helpful links and suggestions. I've read a few things about a Sargent cherry. Any opinions on that tree? Would it be a good fit for that space?

The paperbark would be nice in the front yard away from the house. I would consider a dwarf or intermediate upright growing japanese maple for the garden. Dont feel restricted to the weeping versions that can get real wide.There are lots of dif. cultivars to choose from,where you could pick from colors....red, yellow, green, variegated etc. Also leaf shapes and growth rates. Easy searching......good luck
Al

I'd vote for a Paperbark Maple, American Yellowwood (can get a bit large), or possibly even a Redbud, which has been mentioned.

I vote for a nice smaller conical holly - maybe Blue Maid, Spartan, Virginia, Castle Spire, or heck, even a Fosters. You'll have nice berries in Winter and a solid green year-round. Will require some pruning to keep compact.

Or maybe a taller camellia for some winter to early Spring color. 'Spring's Promise' is a candidate. These grow slowly, so patience is a virtue. But they won't outgrow your space for a long while.