Blooming: in February-March, with tiny feathery spheres that make drab days feel like Spring already.
Leafage: delicate evergreen leaves that are very ornamental.
Planting: in April-May or September-October.
Location:Mimosa loves sun (hardy down to 10°F or -12°C). Since this tallish tree can reach 30 to 60 feet (10 to 20 meters) tall, it’s best to plant it as a standalone.
Scotch laburnum
Variety:Laburnum (the type species)
Blooming: flowers form long bunches and are even slightly fragrant.
Foliage: 3 soft green oval folioles per leaf. Deciduous.
Planting: in March-April or in October-November.
Location: sun or part sun, resists freezing down to -5°F (-20°C). This elegant, small tree is excellent as part of a shrub bed, a standalone, and can also make for a good hedge.
Magnolia
Variety:Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Yellow Bord’
Blooming:large bowl-shaped flowers that are pale yellow in color. Blooms appear beginning of May, and sometimes a repeat blooming occurs during summertime.
Foliage: large elliptical deciduous leaves, shiny dark green in color with a soft underside.
Planting: from March to May or from September to November.
Location: sun or part sun, can take on cold temperatures down to 5°F (-15°C). At 25 feet tall and 15 wide (8 by 4.5 meters), this fellow deserves to grow as a standalone.
3 yellow-blooming shrubs
Forsythia
Variety:Forsythia x intermedia
Blooming:striking golden flowers appear before leaves do in February, similar in shape to those of star jasmine.
Foliage: normal green leaves, deciduous and oval in shape.
Planting: from March to May or in September-October.
Location: in the sun or in part shade. Hardiness ranges from -13 to only 5°F (-25°C to -15°C) depending on the variety. Often grown in rows to form hedges, it will also look appealing at the back of a shrub bed, as a standalone, or in large-ish container.
Location: make the most of its low, bushy bearing and powerful root system to secure the top of a mound. It’s also possible to include it in a shrub bed composition, use it a a knee-high ground cover, or plant it in rocky terrain. Containers and pots are also possible.
Mahonia
Variety: Common mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium)
Blooming: flashy yellow flowers form nectar-rich clusters that smell delicious, too. Depending on the variety, these would bloom anytime from August to April. Perfect for shaded portions of the garden.
Foliage: look uncannily similar to those of holly! Deep green, they’re a lovely bronze-orange hue while still young.
Planting: Between February and March.
Location: part shade or full shade, in flower beds, as a hedge, standalone or garden box.