Best small tree

We had one when living in the UK. After a year we got the most lovely Mauve Cones and counted them one year and there was over 100, slow at first but it did take off and we needed to prune it most years , but that was an easy job as had smooth pine needles which reminded me of Yew....

 

Thanks to everyone so far. I am looking around all the mail order nurseries and local nurseries this weekend to see what sizes/prices I can get on the various trees mentioned...