Halesia. Carolina silverbell, named for its clusters of bell-like white blooms. Early this year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg his very own self planted a halesia as the very first in the million he proposes to have installed in New York City.

Syringa reticulata. Japanese tree lilac. White flowers in late spring in a cluster a foot long. A widely available cultivated variety has the irresistible name Ivory Silk.

Tilia tomentosa. Silver linden. In a breeze the leaves ripple, alternating shiny light green above and fuzzy silver below.