Rhus typhina 'Tigereye Bailtiger' (Tiger eyes sumac, Staghorn sumac, Velvet sumac)

'Schubert' choke cherry has a pyramidal form and vivid foliage that makes it a great focal point. Abundant, dark red-purple fruit follow the ephemeral, light pink flowers. The fruit is attractive to birds, so 'Schubert' choke cherry should not be planted near patios or walks due to the calling cards well-fed birds leave behind. Ask if the tree you buy is grafted onto nonsuckering rootstock; otherwise, suckers could pose problems down the road.

Blackhaw Viburnum is a large shrub or small tree with clusters of creamy white flowers followed by pink-rose berries, which birds love to eat. Its distinctive bronze-green foliage on reddish purple stems turns blue-black in the fall. Blackhaw grows to 12 to 15 feet high and 8 to12 feet wide.

Because it is a relative of the immensely popular burning bush (E. alatus), it isn't surprising that eastern wahoo has great fall color. This North American native grows as a small tree in the southern part of its range and as a large shrub on the Plains. The bright red of its fall foliage is amplified and extended by abundant clusters of scarlet fruits that persist after the leaves have fallen, providing color even into midwinter. Eastern wahoo is effective as an accent plant or when massed wherever a bold, surprising splash of color is desired.

This dogwood can be classified as either a deciduous shrub or small tree. Appealing creamy white flowers appear in late spring and become attractive clusters of milky white fruit in fall. The first cold front often turns the leaves a dark burgundy, and the winter stem tips have a glossy mahogany hue.