Western ma. This same question got posted 3 times. I'm not sure why. Mods: can you delete this one or Merge with : http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg0817344127332.html?4 Thanks

I must say I love my three Crape Mytrles in my frony yard. The flowers arent too messy, as they kinda fly away when they drop. The leaves are fairly small and not too intusive when they fall. I prune mine back every Demember to the main growing branches. IMO, this leaves the best looking tree for the winter, and gives you a nice compact buchy tree come Spring/Summer. Here is a pic of i and 1./ of them :) from last year when they were just coming into bloom Brian

Everybody's yards look great! Here are a couple plant ideas. The front of our house faces west/south. These are coral bells aka heuchera in the Plum Pudding variety. Pacysandra with a crab apple at the end. Both of these plants looks good all through the year, they don't die back. Easy to care for too... I ignore them and they look great. lol I would like to add a few taller shrubs in there one day.

Look at a native Manzanita (Arctostaphyllos) like 'Austin Griffiths" rather than a Maple. It will be much happier, easier to take care of, and not too big for that spot. Spring flowers attract hummingbirds, dark red bark contrasting with blue-green foliage is stunning. Your front garden looks very small for one of the large Magnolias. Hopefully you thinking are thinking of something like a Magnolia x soulangiana such as 'Black Tulip', not a Magnolia grandiflora (huge). Crape Myrtles are great smaller trees if your area gets adequate heat. If you are in a cool part of the Bay Area (SF) they won't be as happy. The bloom period is not long, but they are spectacular in bloom, you are far enough north to get autumn color, and the bark is beautiful as well.