10 Great Patio Trees

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Eastern Redbud
A sentinel of spring, the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) breaks its winter dormancy with an explosion of pink. Grows to 20 to 30 feet tall and slightly wider. Adapts to a wide range of soils as long as they're not permanently wet. Grows on the West Coast as well as it does in the East. Downside: raking up the brown seedpods in the fall.

The heart-shaped leaves of the species are bluish-green, but 'Forest Pansy' has burgundy leaves that fade with hot weather. USDA Zones 4 to 9.