Conifers like sun too much for the large attention getting trees I'm drawn to!

The typical has to be Acer Palmatum Japanese Maples. Ken has the new version of Fagus Sylvatica - tri-color. Its exact Rosemargarita name escapes me right now.

My tastes tend towards obnoxious. Give me a purple leaf plum or crimson barberry next to a yellow conifer anyday.

Don't most folks use conifers for the accent in their 90% broadleaf lawn anyway?

An accent tree is a tree with á sqùîgglè óvér thê tôp, rïght?

Ginkgo biloba is one for consideration.

Either large or small or both.

Dave

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Or try this: Metasequoia glyptostrobides 'Ogon'

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hey .. there is the pix i asked you to post in rickstang or whass post.. from the upper window ... garden BEDS defined ....

will beech work in your zone.. some nice purple weepers ... and the roseomarginata as noted ...

redbud ... consider the smaller trees ...
dogwood???

ken

Japanese maples are the first and most obvious choice as mentioned above.A good book to have would be Japanese Maples by J.D. Vertrees.There are 100's of selections for size,form,color,fall color etc. etc. Also ginkgos. There are many interesting varieties (Jade Butterflies, Mariken,Spring Grove to name a few)that don't grow too fast or get too large.Beautiful fall color as seen above.
Other trees to check out are:
Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia psuedocamellia) with great bark,summer flowers and fall color to rival most any tree i can think of.Also extremely hardy (-35).Though they may be harder to find there are many selections of Japanese Stewartia that are worth seeking out.Also look at Korean,Chinese,or any other stewartia you can find.
Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) Interesting branching,Fragrant white fringe flowers in june,somewhat peeling bark. A new selection is now available called Tokyo Tower which is a fastigiate form.
Ben Franklin Tree (Franklinia alatamaha) Late summer flowers are white with orange centers last from late aug. into oct. and coincide with brilliant fall colors of orange and red.In zone 6 ma.these grow more as large egg shaped shrubs not normally as a single stem tree as they do further south.
Japanese Snowbell (Styrax japonica) Fragrant white bell flowers in early june.yellow fall color.Muscular branching structure.There are many selections such as Pink Chimes, Carillon,and Fragrant Fountain (very new,very expensive!)
Also check out Fragrant Snowbell (Styrax obassia)
Witch Hazels (Hamamelis hybrids) Late winter early spring blooming.Many selections. Check out fairweathergardens.com for a great selection of quality grown plants.
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) Slow growing with stunning cinnamon peeling bark,orange red fall color and beautiful tan samaras.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)Early spring flowers cover the branches. Many varieties are available. Some favorites are: Appalachian Red with glowing pink flowers,Covey (aka Lavender Twist)a weeping selection which can be staked for height or topped off low to create a low spreading mound.Ruby Falls a newly released red leafed version of Covey. Also check out Cercis chinensis. Especially C.C. Don Egolf. Stunning.
Also as mentioned above are the European Beechs.There are many selections available but most become giant trees. Unless you have lots of room seek out columnar forms like Dawyck Purple, dawyck Gold,and Red Obelisk.Or the dwarf Fagus tortuosa Tortured Beech. It grows slowly to about 10 ft.Be careful though they will get wide with age.I have some at about 15 yrs that are 12 ft. wide.There is a very ols specimen at the Arnold Arboretum that measures over 50 ft. wide.
I'm tired of writing and most of this information is available on the web so i'll leave you with a few more trees to research yourself. Magnolia,Oxydendron,Halesia,(Kousa)Dogwood,Dove Tree. Also some large growing shrubs worth considering: Japanese Clethra,Viburnum,Enkianthus,Sinocalycanthus,Winterberry
hope this helps.
john

when i say accent tree i was thinking non conifers that go well with blue spruce, or the yellow abies etc.. things like that if it makes sense. although could be a large shade tree planted within proximity that just draws everything in nicely. dave could you send me that cute flower pot that is just adorable :)

Yes, the pot...Antique Mall $40.00. One of my lucky finds.

The pot, Lantana and the 'Ogan' good color tie-ins. Out of the photo to right Pinus resionasa 'Aurea' to complete the color combo.

Dave

Another one: Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomargonatum'

Needs protection from full sun. Can get big under right conditions. Largest is in Oregon with a 9ft. 9 inch circumference.

Dave

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yeah for sure the pot and flowers in it really brings out the color in the surrounding foliage and just makes things pop!

oh my goodness dave that tree is stunning does it just stay that way all spring and summer?

john my favorites out of the bunch and thank you for the list was
chinese fringetree
paperbark maple
C.C. Don Egolf that is beautiful like dave's tree beautiful like a stop and really look jaw dropped beautiful.

its glory is spring flush .... the pink edge fades towards parchment and browning as the heat of summer builds ... if you will plant an abies for a short spring flush.. then why not one that will hold the color for 2 or 3 months??? so what if it gets ugly by august ....

let me put it to you this way.. i am a collector and have little or no use for 2 of anything... I HAVE TWO OF THESE ...

check out the pix .. ignore the dwarf ...

ken
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and here is one of the days i am glad i am a stay at home...
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it was barely 60ish.. but he said the blacktop was so cozy.. that he just had to lay down for a bit.. and ended up taking an hour nap ... really now.. may in z5 is not really take a nap outside time ... unless you have a blacktop ...

sorry but the dwarf way cuter than the tree:). see that is what i am saying would rather have other conifers and a few breathtaking tree's like this than a week of spring flush and then just look like any of my other conifers. only thing is how much sun protection do these need.
more pics of different ones...please please please...loving this :)

My eyes have been on four of the roseomarginata's around here. They are largely in shady spots. Like Ken says the pink wears off as the year goes on. Last year my foot tall one looked great late in the summer, green and faded white leaf edges. This year it dropped it just dropped its leaves in August.

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don't discount the dogwoods. Cornus florida has a GREAT white or pink spring flower show and GREAT long lasting fall color with a few berries even. There are variegated versions also. Cornus kousa may be a safer version.
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Acer palmatums come in all colors, usually smaller growing trees. Acer griseum is something I have just planted and am very much looking forward to watching.

1 Japanese Maple
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A different one
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Variegated Ilex opaca just for good measure. All year round color!
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The pink leafed beech is a VERY eye catching tree. Folks will notice. Somehow that Metasequoia Ogon is even more attention getting IMO. It is just neon and all summer. My new transplant was ok in the fall while the main species is excellent. Still they are another conifer though.

I like the Dawn Redwood, 'Ogon'.
Here's one in my garden.

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Japanese Maples have to be my favorite though. They really look good with conifers.
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Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: My garden.....and travels.

Yes, Dogwoods some are quite special and interesting.

Cornus florida 'Cherokee Sunset'.

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Dave