The only thing that I don't regret planting were my trees. I got 7 right off the bat, but mainly because I was able to pull in a Superb Deal. But, too - they were boxed trees and I won't ever do *that* again - I have since been told that boxed trees never regain any of their large roots, only the tiny feeder roots, so strong winds (of which we can see a lot of) can knock them over very easily. At least the only two that were anywhere near the house are smallish trees anyway - a desert willow hybrid (named Bubba, who could resist?) and a Cordia bosserii.
BTW, the willow is a flowering tree that would do great for her, if she would like a tree. They are pretty fast growing but don't typically get huge and the newer cultivars don't have the persistent pod hang-on the older ones had (made it kinda ugly in the winter time unless you tried to pick them off - a major pain....) Bubba's flowers are much darker pink than the original species and stand out better.
