Trees and Shrubs
All landscape designs have trees and shrubs as part of the overall plan. Usually they will include plants that change with the seasons and year round plants that will always look the same. A good design will usually mix trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. 
These plants can both provide shade, color, texture and privacy if placed in the right locations. For example, a tree with red leaves is more spectacular if surrounded by bushes with bright yellow leaves.
Always read the tags on plants to determine if the location will work for the end size both height and width. If using a landscaper, verify the plants and locations since often even landscapers are not concerned with long term growth. When picking these plants first consider size and spread. Then you can consider things like growth rate, color, flowers, fall color and life span. I prefer to buy my trees potted since then tend to root and grow much faster than balled and burlaped trees. Typically you can not get them as large but the growth rate more than makes up for the size difference. If your working on a specific theme try to find plants that support that theme. If working on a tropical theme go for more plants with fern like or palm like leaves. If your going for a more woodsy mountain theme then pines would be a better choice. Not all plants grow in all regions. Most plants have a tag that displays what region the plant is best suited for. We have found they are often wrong. We live in a colder weather region which means plant roots must be able to withstand sub-zero temperatures since the freeze line goes down about 30 inches. Frequently warmer climate plants are bred or cross bred to develope tolerance to things like cold. This does not always work, I have lost many plants this way. If we have a mild winter it's great but just one normal winter and their dead. If you want less work and permanent plants, stick with those plants native to your region. Since I am in a colder region, I always consider fall color. I like to see color changing all year and with many varieties of both trees and shrubs the fall color is spectacular. Also how the plant looks after leaf loss is important. Clump varieties are often attractive even with no leaves. I like a good mix of shade providers, evergreens, and flowing plants. If someone else is designing your layout be sure to get involved. Don't just let them pick everything, have them show you a list of species and pick what works best for you. These plants are also needed for the environment to provide filtration of pollution, and oxygen that we all breath. So often I hear people say "I don't like trees" not realizing that without them they couldn't breath. Then plant a large shrub like an acer maple that can provide just as much of the above benefits. Any design without trees and shrubs is not a design at all. These plants create the foundation of the entire landscape design.
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