What kind of "cedars" do you have? Common names can be a problem. Cedar-apple rust's alternate host is actually a juniper and not a cedar- particularly bad (in my experience) are Juniperus viginana (Eastern redcedar) and Juniperus scopulorum (Colorado/Western redcedar available locally i.e. 'Wichta Blue'). Some Arborvitae are referred to as whitecedars and are not alternate hosts. So depending on what you have, a crabapple may be ok disease-wise but I'm not up on my cultivars to suggest one.

Smokebush- Cotinus coggygria 'Pop's Pink Champaigne' is light green (not purple) but would probably stay within your specs

Viburnum- Viburnum cassenoides (Witherrod viburnum) would fit.

If there is a microclimate in that spot a Japanese maple might do well.

tj

Thanks. I agree common names aren't useful- it's just that I'm relatively new to the area and only know the trees by the names I've heard others give them. I believe they're Eastern red cedars. I live in a forest (well, mostly young trees) of a few cedars, lots of various locusts, black walnuts, hickory, aspen, cherry, mulberry, oak and maple. I did just purchase a blue chip juniper from the nursery to plant in this bed.

We have three pear trees growing in our "meadow" area and they seem to have something on them- rust? We haven't sprayed them yet.

Do the smokebush and Japanese maples have more than one season of interest? I'd love to have something I can see birds sitting on in the winter. I'm not sure what a Japanese maple here needs. I mean- what sort of microclimate do they need? The area is protected from strong winds as it sits next to the house and is also beside the front porch.

Would posting a photo of the bed help?
Astrid

Crabapple trees are beautiful when they bloom, but after that they don't look to nice. I planted a Viburnum dilatatum 'Henneke' it has tons of creamy white flowers in spring followed by berries. The glossy red berries are show stopping in fall and the songbirds love them. It gets 5-6' tall and 4-5' wide and its hardy to -30 Good Luck

Would either of the above mentioned viburnums help pollinate my Viburnum dentatum 'Blue Muffin'? The leaves on the viburnum aren't the most interesting (during the summer months).

Are there any variegated viburnums that will grow in zone 4/5?
Astrid

My favorite small tree is Serviceberry. It comes in tree and shrub form, and is usually multi-trunked. I have 3 trees and 2 shrubs in my beds. An internet search will give you the latin names for each type.
They are small and light and airy in form.-Are among the first to bloom in Spring. Berries are coveted by birds, and they will hang on the tree like Xmas ornaments, just waiting for a ripening berry. The multi trunks are pretty and interesting, the leaves are just plain leaves, like any other tree. You will attract many birds to your yard by planting one or more of these trees. Pondy

I'm going to try adding some photos...

and

I'm thinking the tree/shrub should be in the area where the rusted metal flower bird feeder stands. I do have a Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' along with Wine and Roses Weigela. To the left of the photo (in the back corner) there are the blue muffin viburnums. I also have a pink Knock Out rose (mother's day gift) that is doing seemingly well.

Am I wrong in thinking the bed needs something taller? The house sits so tall and it would be nice to have something that adds winter interest. I'm just not sure. I'm also used to plants/shrubs/trees growing very slowly but that is not the case here. I am terrible about remembering to give the plants some space to grow.

I'm also thinking of moving out some Little Princess spirea that are located at the front of the bed. They're okay when they're in bloom but they're boring when not. I'm wondering what to replace them with (Magic Carpet spirea?).

Any thoughts?
Astrid

Astrid, your beds look wonderful, and proportional to their width too. If you want something taller to offset the tallness of your home you will have to go out quite far into the lawn. Then you may want a larger tree. One that is airy enough to allow lots of sun, but tall enough to add substance and scale to your large home. When I was deciding about trees for my home, I went across the street and took pictures, made multiple copies and then used colored pencils to try out different tree heights and shapes. I first installed a skyscraper locust. Later had it moved to the side yard and installed a River birch. Much more suited to my ranch home.
Maybe the Landscape design forum would have more ideas for you if you include your photos. They are great people over there. Pondy

Hmmm....I am actually surrounded by trees- black walnut, locust, oak, maple, hickory, etc. They are about 40 feet (or more?) away from the house. I do have one black walnut that sits closer to the house. I had just thought a SMALL tree or taller shrub might add more interest to that bed. Maybe I was just mistaken.