Top 5 Trees to Make Your Neighbors Jealous!

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

We often get asked about "statement" plants and specimen trees - anything that will have that high-impact wow factor on your home's curb appeal. There are plants that add some "oomph" to your garden, spice things up, or refresh a tired landscape - and then there are Trees that will make your neighbors completely jealous!

To answer that call for focal point trees, Nature Hills has dug deep into our plant collection and offered up 5 plants that definitely fit the bill!

Check these out and see if you need to plant one of these in your garden this year that will make the neighbors do a double-take!

Honorable Mentions
Fantastic Curb Appeal Is Right This Way!

Check out some of the fantastic Statement Trees at Nature Hills Nursery!

1. Weeping Extraordinaire™ Cherry Tree

The Weeping Extraordinaire™ Cherry Tree is a gorgeous cascading ornamental flowering tree with enormous pompoms in the spring plus fall color and dramatic arching stems! Pollinators arrive to enjoy your spring bloom, but then the lush foliage fills in for the remainder of the growing season to enhance the weeping form. Even in the winter, this tree stands out!

Gorgeous Double Pink Pompoms
Drifts of Spring Blossoms
Bronzed New Growth & Red/Burgundy Fall Color
Dramatic Single-Stemmed Weeping Form
Fantastic in Containers, Specimen Plantings & Garden Décor!
Growing Zones 5-8

2. Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud

Another weeping flowering ornamental, the Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud is an early flowering tree with deep purple new foliage that ages green with a burgundy blush. The heart-shaped leaves and early hot pink blooms will catch the eye all year round!

Tiny, Weeping Ornamental Tree
Sculptural Focal Point
Deliciously Deep Purple Leaves Ages to Dark Green
Bold Rose-Pink Flowers Cover Downturned Bare Branches in Early Spring
Excellent in Small Space Gardens
Growing Zones 5-9

3. Jade Butterfly Ginkgo

Small yards can get the wow factor that the Ginkgo biloba has, but without sacrificing any space! The Jade Butterfly Ginkgo packs all the perks of its larger cousins into a 12 - 15 feet tall and just a bit slimmer in width. With fan-shaped leaves, brilliant yellow fall color, and wonderfully low-maintenance form, Ginkgos have been favorites for centuries!

Unique Dwarf Ginkgo Tree
Fan-Shaped Bright Jade Green Unique Foliage
Fruitless/Seedless Male Selection
Cold Hardy & Insect/Disease Free
Excellent Small Focal Point, Courtyards, Front Entrance & Containers
Growing Zones 4-8

4. Waterfall Japanese Maple

Another weeping tree for those with a bit of shade in their front yard adores the lacy foliage and incredible fall color of the Waterfall Japanese Maple! Small but with a powerful impact on your landscape! The wistful flowing form looks fantastic in the spring, summer, fall, and winter! Even better for yards that have mature trees and some part shade where this tree basks happily, especially for afternoon-shaded sites!

Tiny Purple Blooms Provide Nectar for Butterflies and Pollinators
Lyrical Weeping Branches
Beautiful, Fine-Textured Leaves are Strongly Dissected
Foliage Stays Vibrant Bright Green All Season
Fiery Gold Fall Color Tipped With Crimson
Growing Zones 5-8

5. Topiary Trees

Whether you have a large or small property - or live in an apartment or townhome with no yard at all, an expertly trimmed and stylized Topiary tree will set your front stoop, balcony, or front yard planting far apart from the rest!

Try a pair of unique Dwarf Alberta Spruce Pom Pom Topiaries in a pair of matching decorative pots astride your front steps, or a Spartan Juniper Spiral Topiary as the focal point to a raised garden bed! A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Castle Wall® Blue Holly Pyramidal Topiary can be decorated in holiday accent pots, and a Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Castle Spire® Blue Holly Tree Form Topiary will make a standout addition to your mailbox accent garden!

Honorable Mentions

Citrus trees like a Kumquat, or Buddah’s Hand feature scented white flowers in the spring, lush broadleaf evergreen foliage all year, and unique edible/ornamental fruit in the fall or winter!

Anything that is contorted and twisted like the Red Dragon Filberts are sure to turn heads. Anything weeping such as the Cascading Hearts Weeping Redbud, Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud, Weeping French Pussy Willow, or a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar catches everyone's eye! Especially when planted as a focal point front yard garden or raised berm planting!

Or try one of these Off The Beaten Path Trees for your growing zone, any of which are sure to catch the attention of everyone passing your home, just because we’re sure no one else on the block has one!

Fantastic Curb Appeal Is Right This Way!

Set your landscape apart from the rest on the block with fantastic Statement Trees at Nature Hills! We’re sure you’ll have everyone slowing down as they pass your house with one of these unique trees gracing your front yard!

Check out these and other incredible ornamental accents from Nature Hills today and give your landscape an edge!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these top 5 trees will grow best in my USDA hardiness zone and local climate?

The best tree for your yard depends on your USDA hardiness zone, so here is a quick breakdown: the Jade Butterfly Ginkgo is the most cold hardy at zones 4 to 8, making it a great choice for northern gardens, while the Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud covers zones 5 to 9 and works well across a wide range of climates including the South. The Weeping Extraordinaire Cherry Tree is suited for zones 5 to 8 and thrives in regions with a defined winter chill period. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to confirm your zone, then visit the individual product pages at naturehills.com to review full climate requirements and find the statement tree that is the perfect fit for your location.

How do I choose the right statement tree to plant in my front yard for maximum curb appeal?

Choosing the right statement tree comes down to matching your growing zone, available space, and desired seasonal interest to the right specimen. For smaller yards in zones 5-9, the Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud or Jade Butterfly Ginkgo (reaching just 12-15 feet tall) offer big impact without overwhelming your space, while gardeners in zones 5-8 with room for a showstopper should consider the Weeping Extraordinaire Cherry Tree for its spring blooms, fall color, and striking winter silhouette. Visit naturehills.com to filter trees by your specific growing zone and mature size, then select a specimen that delivers at least two or three seasons of visual interest for year-round curb appeal.

How far from my house, sidewalk, or property line should I plant one of these showstopping trees?

General spacing guidance varies by tree, but a good rule of thumb is to plant at least half the tree's mature width away from structures, sidewalks, and property lines. The compact selections featured here, like the Jade Butterfly Ginkgo at 12 to 15 feet tall and the Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud, require less clearance than standard shade trees, making them excellent choices for tighter spaces. Always check your local municipality's requirements for sidewalk and property line setbacks before planting. Measure your available space carefully, confirm the mature width of your chosen tree on its product page at naturehills.com, and use that number to determine your ideal planting distance from any hard structures.

Do any of these top 5 trees have invasive roots that could damage my foundation, pipes, or hardscape?

Root invasiveness varies by tree, but the compact, ornamental nature of most trees on this list makes them generally safer choices near structures than large shade trees. The Jade Butterfly Ginkgo, which tops out at 12 to 15 feet, and the small-statured Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud are particularly well-suited for tighter spaces with less root spread concern. As a general rule, plant any tree at least as far from foundations, pipes, and hardscape as its expected mature canopy spread, and check with your local extension office for region-specific guidance. When in doubt, contact the Nature Hills team for personalized planting placement advice before you dig.

How much direct sun does each of these trees need to thrive and look its best?

Most of these statement trees perform best in full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The Weeping Extraordinaire Cherry, Ruby Falls Redbud, and Waterfall Japanese Maple all thrive in full sun to partial shade, with the Japanese Maple actually benefiting from some afternoon shade in hotter climates within its growing range. The Jade Butterfly Ginkgo is the most sun-tolerant of the group and does best in full sun. When selecting your planting site, observe how sunlight moves across your yard throughout the day and choose a spot that meets each tree's specific light requirements for the strongest growth and best seasonal display.

Should I plant the root flare at or above ground level when installing one of these trees?

Yes, the root flare should always be planted at or slightly above the surrounding soil grade, never buried. Planting too deep is one of the most common installation mistakes and can lead to crown rot, girdling roots, and long-term decline, which is especially damaging for statement trees like the Ruby Falls Redbud or Weeping Cherry that you want performing at their best for decades. When backfilling, confirm the flare is visible at the soil surface, and if your site has heavy clay or poor drainage, consider planting the tree 2 to 3 inches high to account for settling.

How long will it take one of these trees to establish and start putting on impressive growth?

Most ornamental trees like these will establish within 1 to 3 years after planting, with the first season focused primarily on root development rather than dramatic top growth. By years 2 and 3, you can expect noticeably faster growth and more impressive flowering and foliage displays as the root system matures. Proper planting, regular watering during the first growing season, and a balanced fertilizer in early spring will significantly speed up the establishment process and get you to that jaw-dropping curb appeal faster.

Do any of these top 5 trees drop messy fruit, seeds, or excessive leaf litter I should plan for?

Most of these trees are selected specifically to minimize mess. The Jade Butterfly Ginkgo is a fruitless male selection, so you won't get the notoriously smelly female fruit that standard Ginkgos are known for. The Weeping Extraordinaire Cherry and Ruby Falls Redbud are ornamental flowering trees grown primarily for blooms and form rather than fruit production, so cleanup is generally minimal. When shopping for any of these trees, confirm you're purchasing the named cultivar rather than a straight species to ensure you're getting the low-maintenance selection.

Will one of these trees eventually block views, overshadow my yard, or crowd my windows?

Most of these trees are selected specifically for their compact, ornamental nature rather than large canopy growth. The Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud and Jade Butterfly Ginkgo top out at modest sizes, with the Ginkgo reaching just 12 to 15 feet tall and a restrained width, making them ideal near windows, entryways, and smaller yards. The weeping forms of the Cherry and Redbud grow downward rather than outward, so they add drama without spreading aggressively into your sightlines or neighboring space. Before planting, check the mature height and width for your specific selection on each product page at naturehills.com, and site the tree with that full-grown footprint in mind to avoid any issues down the road.

Do I need to stake any of these trees after planting, and if so, how long should I leave the stakes in?

Staking is recommended for most newly planted trees, especially weeping forms like the Weeping Extraordinaire Cherry and Ruby Falls Redbud, which benefit from support while their root systems establish. Use soft ties and two or three stakes placed just outside the root ball, and check them regularly to ensure they are not cutting into the bark as the trunk expands. The general rule is to remove stakes after one full growing season, typically 12 months, since leaving them too long can actually weaken trunk development by preventing the natural movement that builds strength. Plan to remove or loosen ties by the following spring and monitor the tree for any signs of girdling or leaning.