Now that deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves, with only the bare bones left there are many shrubs with vibrant stems that can light up a garden or provide focal points at this time of year. The dogwood (Cornus) family in particular has colourful stems with varieties that come in many colours ranging from the acid green of Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’, Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ which starts as yellow rising to a vibrant red as you go up the stem, to the deep purple of Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’. The deep red or purple stems really standout when planted against the acid green of ‘Flaviramea’ or the greens and yellows of a salix. The stems have a similar palette to the cornus family, whether using the yellow stems of Salix alba ‘Golden Ness’, the orange rising to red stems of Salix alba subsp vitellina ‘Britzensis’ or the black stems of Salix myrsinifolia.

Colourful stems for winter colour

In larger spaces the white stemmed Rubus biflorus really standout, looking as though they have a frosted or snow covered feel (with their rambling and prickly nature they need space) or interspersing them more vibrant cornus or salix provides the ideal backdrop to set them off. I love seeing cornus or salix planted in groups, either groups of one variety or offset with a complementary or contrasting colour. Whether mixing up the varieties or underplanting one variety with dazzling white snowdrops, jewel like cyclamen or for larger plants, hellebores in all their multitude of colours the garden will still be providing interest at this time of year – something to view as you look out from the house.

Winter Stems: Groupings

Visiting gardens is great way of getting inspiration and seeing how these shrubs can be used to best effect, whether it is to lead you along a path as you follow the radiant stems (RHS Harlow or the Winter Garden at Anglesey Abbey) or reflecting their colourful stems along with the white rubus around bodies of water (RHS Wisley).