Suggestion for a tree/very large shrub

I live in zone 9a and I have a spot that I would like to plant a tree or very large shrub.
The area is sunny to mostly sunny and is on the North side of my yard. I am looking
for something that is either scented, blooms and or interest. The soil is very good
and needs really no ammending. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to
hear. Thank you.

Angela

There are Gazillions of things you could try way down there. (Well, at least Billions and Billions!) Maybe your fist move should be to see what's available locally, and send us a short list of those that appeal to you for further comment?

Guy S.

How about a Callistemon (Bottlebrush) with the red blooms. There's also some with purple blooms.
Feijoa (Pineapple Guava) has nice bottlebrush-like blooms on grey-green foliage.
A Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' is nice with the evergreen foliage, smaller white blooms that I believe are scented and it remains smallish.
Michelia figo (Banana Shrub) has nice aroma on a small evergreen shrub.
Choisya x 'Aztec Pearl' has nice foliage and doesn't get too big with white blooms around now.

I have a bunch more ideas but if ya can give me some more hints on desired texture, height, etc I can narrow it down a bit.

really texture doesn't matter much and as for heighth, we can go 15 to 20 feet.
This will be in a bed and will more than likely be the focal point. Hope this will
help. I thought of going to a local nursery tomorrow and getting some ideas
but was hoping to have something in mind before going.

Thank you so much for your help.

Angela

I love crepe myrtles. They bloom all summer, and depending on the one that you select, you can get a really interesting bark.

Ok, here's a few suggestions:

Poinciana pulcherrima linneaus (Pride of Barbados) http://www.cycadsandpalms.com/pride.htm from a nursery in Beaumont. Plumeria from the same nursery.

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstoemia) - so many to choose from.

Take a look through this list and see if anything catches your fancy: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/county/smith/Homegardens/easttex1.html

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' has nice leaves, good form for a focal point. Also a different approach would be to plant the Giant Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum) http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53513/index.html which, if kept moist and in organic soil and after a few years will have 15' flower spikes. Just a thought.

How'z about a Cape Plumbago? http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/582583/

Growin,

I didn't know that BC had a warmer growing climate than northern virginia.

We kinda have an ocean-influenced rainforesty-type climate. Temps in the summer are cool so summer heat-loving plants don't perform well and our trees don't colour-up well in the fall. We rarely have temps below -10C. Then again there's some plants I'd like to grow like Tillandsia usenoides (Spanish Moss) and Sabal palmetto that I wish I could grow.

Thank you to all that offered info and suggestions. I thought I would share with those
what I decided on and bought today. After going to several box stores (;e.g. Lowe's,
Home Depot) and several nurseries I decided and purchased a 15' river birch tree.
My DH was so impressed with the sweet olive tree/shrub and the banana shrub.
He fell in love with the smells of both that we bought them as well. The sweet
olive is about 6' fall and the banana shurb is about 4'. So needless to say he
has his work cut out tomorrow!!!! (LOL)

Again thank you all for your willingness to help.

Angela

Ain't spring fun?!?!?! Your river birch will thrive in acidic, moist soil on a sunny site and will grow very vigorously. Much less so in dry soil, or partial shade, and it probably will peter out in full shade or alkaline soil. If you have the right conditions, you made a great choice. And if not, perhaps it's not too late to exchange it for something else.

Guy S.

I have lots and lots of pinetrees near where my husband planted it and it will
get plenty of sun!! I am so excited about it. It really was a very pretty tree,
has 3 already fairly large trunks. I think I also made a great choice Guy.
The banana shrub is loaded with bloom pods and can't wait till they open
up so we can enjoy their wonderful smell.

Angela