Most independent garden centers like to carry the unusual kind of plants that many folks rarely see. We planted an unusual tree about 6 years ago in our front flower bed. The botanical name is Chorisia speciosa. Common name is Silk Floss Tree.  The silk floss tree is not terribly cold hardy. Ours has managed to make it through the last six winters with no extraordinary measures.  This tree blooms in the Fall. There are quite a few flowers blooming right now on it. Below are 2 pictures. The beautiful flowers on the top photo and the intimidating trunk on the second one.