Hi gardengal, I’d like the lower trunks to be visible and vase-shaped, like the picture on this web page: https://underthesunseeds.com/products/crape-myrtle-tree-seeds

I realize I might have to prune, but I have no idea which shrub or small tree would fit the bill. I don’t mind if it doesn’t bloom. It’s more the tree shape I’m after. Which one of your 3 suggestions do you think would be best?

Many thanks!

I'd probably go with the hydrangea, simply because it is easy to prune or train into the form you prefer and has a long flowering season to add to its appeal.

Thank you, gardengal!!

Dwarf River Birch might be a stretch in Z3, but certainly worth a try. The Amur Maple Gardengal mentions would be bulletproof and can have very nice fall color.

serviceberry/saskatoon berry, sea buckthorn, nanking cherry

mountain ash

Cornus alternifolia/pagoda dogwood and Aronia should be hardy in your area.

Some of the Viburnums are hardy in your zone. Check out the list near the bottom of this article.

https://www.finegardening.com/article/viburnums-are-versatile-shrubs

I second the suggestions of serviceberry/Amalanchier.

All three of the plants above have spring flowers, summer berries for the birds, and autumn color IME. The Viburnums berry best if they have a friend that is nearby since most are not self-compatible

As GG48 suggested, Hydrangea paniculata, especially one of the larger ones like Limelight, Pinky Winky, or (my favorite) Quickfire, would be great. One like Vanilla Strawberry can be pruned up to make a slightly weeping tree form, like Hyed’s photo in the thread below, and the other three I mentioned will have a more upright form. They are often sold as single or multitrunked trees and have a long bloom. My Quickfire blooms from early July to frost, starting white and turning pink over time. Others start later in July or early August here and bloom until frost.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5448923/optimizing-vanilla-strawberry-color-change-by-delayed-pruning#n=2

Hyed has also posted photos of his tree form Pinky Winky.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5438889/love-my-pinky-winky#n=7

Thank you all for your ideas!! I will research each option carefully.

most anything can be pruned to a shape.. its sort of the definition of topiary .... its not hard .... except in remembering to do it ... and timing is usually imperative ... especially with flowering shrubs ... e.g. you do not prune lilac now .. as next years buds are already on the plant.. so if you gave it a haircut.. you might not get flowers next spring .. but if you did rejuvenation pruning ... it wouldnt matter ...

so you are correct to think.. the choice of plant is imperative ...

in my experience.. the more common lilacs .... with those giant sprays of flowers .. tend to fall over.. when its not a giant self grown clump ... meaning ... a single trunk.. which can grow a couple feet per year ... might not be able to hold itself up during those peak flower production years ...

im in the middle of an intense caffeine buzz ... i ahd a point when i started typing ... and now im not sure if i made it ... nor what the point is.. a perfect post.. that should probably be deleted.. lol ..

hope you gleaned something from it.. lol ...

ken

ps: wait.. the point was.. you can prune anything into a shape other than how it looks naturally ... whether you will end up with what your goal was.. is another question ...