The "Little John" looks like a good choice too. I adore the Mimosa trees but they get WAY!!! too big and don't want to worry about them being invasive....
The bottlebushes seem like a good compromise....
I hate losing plants....I know they are "just plants" but when you nurse them along and baby them and get them to grow, bloom, and be pretty and they die....it's like losing a friend.....