Planting Around a Tree....and Sweet Memories

I remember when I bought my very first house a million years ago. 

I was so young, just 23 years old. Just a baby myself, and I had two tiny tots who kept me very, very busy.

Garden Dreams - Ornamental Trees

I always get 'itchy' for spring around February or so. It's not that bad yet, as our winter came so late this year. 

But it's starting. 

The gardening magazines and seed catalogs are arriving in the mail. 

I'm starting to dream about my garden plans for spring. 

Last spring I was so busy moving into the house and just getting settled that I barely did any gardening. Well, for most people it may seem I did a lot but for me it was minimal!

I also had to live through the garden for a year to see what was already there. 

I added a few perennials and shrubs here and there but nothing crazy. A few shrubs along the edge of the front lawn, some roses and a few clematis, and some various ground covers up the garden steps. 

Oh, and about a million Hostas in varying shades of chartreuse and blue. 

Seriously - this was my Hosta order when it arrived in the mail. I might have gone a little crazy when I placed my order - oops!!

I also planted 240 spring bulbs in the fall...half of which were immediately dug out and eaten by the critters. 

Mommy was NOT happy. 

I think the place I'm going to focus first is on the little circular bed in the center of the front lawn. There's a Dogwood tree there now and it does absolutely nothing in my zone. It doesn't flower, it has no redeeming foliage or form - it's going. 

I'm not saving anything that is planted around it, either. I gave it a season to see what came up and there's nothing worth saving.  

I'd like to find a tree that has 4 seasons of interest and plant some annuals around the base.  

I have always loved an Eastern Redbud - that's a strong contender. 

Via

The form is gorgeous in all seasons and that spring color is one of the best around!

The Malus Prairifire Flowering Crabapple is a lovely option as well. 

Via

My sweetie has these at his house and they look so lovely in spring. Again, the form is rather nice also. 

I also adore a Weeping Cherry Tree. I had one in my marital home, it was a gift from my daughter. 

Via

I absolutely hated to leave that tree behind. 

Another tree I drool over is the Bloodgood Japanese Maple. This tree has red leaves and striking fall color. The form is terrific, and it stays relatively petite. 

Via

I will have such a tough time deciding which to go with but I want to plant it in Spring so it's time to do my homework!

I am open to other suggestions - I'm trying to find something hardy to zone 4 although technically I think I can go to zone 5. 

Do you have an ornamental tree that you absolutely love?