Acacia dealbata

Mimosa, or silver wattle, is an evergreen tree with fern-like, silvery gray-green divided leaves. Orange in bud before turning yellow, the fragrant flowers borne in clusters will add color and scent from winter through to spring. It is susceptible to frost, so plant in a sheltered site in full sun. Max Height Grown 50–100 ft (15–30 m) – Max Width Grown 20–30 ft (6–10 m)

Acer campestre

The lobed leaves of the deciduous field maple are red when young, green by late summer, then yellow and red in the fall. The green flowers in spring produce the helicopter fruits that children love to play with. A. campestre ‘Schwerinii’ makes an excellent hedge, or can be grown in a large container. Max Height Grown 25–80 ft (8–25 m) – Max Width Grown 12 ft (4 m)

Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’

The Norway maple is a vigorous, spreading, deciduous tree. ‘Crimson King’ has large, lobed, dark red-purple leaves that turn orange in the fall. The red-tinged yellow flowers are borne in mid-spring. Fast-growing, it makes a useful screen, but is at its best center stage as an ornamental specimen. Height 80 ft (25 m) – Width 50 ft (15 m)

Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’

By the fall, the lobed, glossy, dark green foliage of the red maple has turned bright red; erect clusters of tiny red flowers are produced in spring. ‘October Glory’ is a reliable cultivar, though for best color, grow it in acid soil. To fully appreciate its beauty, give this large deciduous tree plenty of space. Height 70 ft (20 m) – 30 ft (10 m)

Alnus glutinosa ‘Laciniata’

The deciduous common alder produces yellow-brown male catkins in late winter or early spring, and small, egg-shaped fruit in summer. Most types have long, rounded, dark green leaves, but those of ‘Laciniata’ are mid-green with triangular lobes. Will do well in a coastal setting; useful as a screen. Height 80 ft (25 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Betula nigra

Red-brown when young, becoming blackish or gray-white as it ages, the peeling bark of the black birch is its main attraction. Yellow-brown catkins appear in early spring, and its glossy, diamond-shaped leaves turn buttery yellow in the fall. If space allows, plant in a group for maximum impact. Height 60 ft (18 m) – Width 40 ft (12 m)

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii

The smooth, peeling white bark of this Himalayan birch comes into its own in the winter. Oval, tapered dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall, and yellow-brown catkins appear in early spring. The reliable cultivar ‘Silver Shadow’ has an eye-catching pure white trunk. Height 60 ft (18 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Cedrus atlantica Glauca Group

Glaucous blue-green foliage, erect, cylindrical cones in the fall and a silvery-gray bark are the attractions of this coniferous tree. The blue Atlas cedar does well growing on chalk and is striking as a specimen in a sunny lawn, but its eventual size makes it unsuitable for all but the largest of gardens. Height 130 ft (40 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

The leaves of this fast-growing deciduous tree are bronze when young, turning mid-green, then yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Acid soil produces the best color. Fallen leaves smell of burned sugar when crushed. The Katsura tree is best used as a specimen in a woodland setting. Height 70 ft (20 m) – Width 50 ft (15 m)

Eucalyptus gunnii

To encourage the rounded, bluish young leaves of the cider gum, which are more attractive than the gray-green adult foliage, cut back hard in early spring. The whitish-green bark is shed in late summer, revealing pink- or orange-tinted new bark, as clusters of small white or cream flowers appear. Height 80 ft (25 m) – Width 30 ft (15 m)

Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’

The beauty of this cultivar of the common beech lies in its deep purple leaves, which need full sun for best color. A spreading, deciduous tree, it can be used for hedging, in a woodland setting, or as a focal point. For dramatic effect, plant next to a golden-leaved tree, such as Catalpa bignonioides ‘Aurea’. Height 80 ft (25 m) – Width 50 ft (15 m)

Pinus wallichiana

The Bhutan pine is a graceful, broadly conical, evergreen tree with long, drooping, blue-green leaves and smooth, gray bark, which is gray-green when young but later becomes darker, scaly, and fissured. It produces fresh green foliage in spring, and decorative pine cones that ripen to brown in the fall. Height 70 ft (20–35 m) – Width 20–40 ft (6–12 m)

Quercus ilex

A majestic, round-headed evergreen tree, the holm oak has glossy, dark green leaves, which are silvery-gray when young. Striking yellow catkins are followed in the fall by small acorns. It makes a good screen and hedge, and thrives on exposed coastal sites. It also does well on shallow chalk. Height 80 ft (25 m) Width 70 ft (20 m)

Taxus baccata

A slow-growing evergreen conifer with distinctive dark green, needle-like leaves, the common yew is a familiar sight in churchyards. When closely-clipped it is excellent for hedging and topiary. The golden-leaved cultivar ‘Standishii’ is ideal for brightening a shady area. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Height 70 ft (20 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)