What tree should I plant in my front yard?

Question

I'd like it to be unique and beautiful, graceful, maybe a bit delicate but not a weeping willow. Something with a branching shape, not too vertical. I'd like it to let dappled light through, and be no more than 25 feet when mature. It can be deciduous. I live in Southern California in an old 1920's mediteranean but not spanish-style house. The garden faces south/east with not much shade. It is ecletic, with white wisteria behind a black magic colocasia, some david austin 'heritage' roses, white heliotrope, pink jasmine, purplish red abutilon, canterbury bells, oreganum 'kent beauty', coreopsis 'limerock passion'. Things like that. I love japanese maples and I plan to use them soon, but this tree needs to be more of a focal point, close to the entryway, and it will be there to greet whoever comes to the door. Is there a maple tree that will be right? Or something entirely different? I just planted a halesia snowdrop tree farther down the garden.

Answer 1

Plant a Mimosa Tree,it has fern like leaves that close up tight at night and it has soft fuzzie hot pink flowers when it blooms.
I live in New England and the tree is rather tropical so it does not bloom for me until August. I don't know how much earlier it will bloom for you in California, But boy it is worth every step I take to baby it through the winter!!!
Albizia Julibrissin "rosea" I guarantee love at first sight!

Answer 2

Look at some Japanese maples, they are very nice looking, I have the lace leaf type.

Answer 3

try this Yahoo group gardenmessenger they will help you they have people all over the world and also from the US of A. They also have a good web-site at http://www.gardenmessenger.net/

Answer 4

a palm tree!:) or a sequioa, i'm sure ur house will stand out