In winter we notice different things in the garden which tend to stand out because there are few leaves to distract the eye.

For example, the bark of trees can be very beautiful, varying from the white of betula utilis to the curling rust colour of acer griseum.

Some have stripes of different colours, such as acer davidii or acer rufinerve, which merge with other stems in a woodland setting.

In a garden these can create a picture in the winter which looks quite different to the summer time, when leaves and flowers create an alternative view.

There is a wide variety of acer, or maples with many features that endear them to gardeners.

It is well known that the leaves can be most attractive, particularly in autumn, when they can be all the colours of the rainbow.

In spring the flowers are also pretty, before the leaves have reached full size the flowers show up on the stems, they are well worth looking at closely.

In winter the stems of acer griseum really attract attention.

The rusty colour of the peeling bark with a spark of sunlight behind it is bound to catch attention.

Another very unusual variety is acer pensylvanicum erytrocladum. This has young shoots which are pink, becoming orange as they mature, with white stripes.

Another family of trees which are grown for the bark effect is the betula or birch family.

The most well known is the Himalayan birch betula utilis, with very white bark.

There are different named varieties, especially chosen for their bright whiteness, such as silver shadow or grayswood ghost.

I give these a good scrub prior to my winter open day, as they can go green with algae.

Among the more unusual specimens is the strawberry tree. Arbutus menziesii can lose great chunks of bark, giving it an interesting patchwork effect.

The stewartii also has peeling bark, which can look very effective in winter.

Some trees are just stunning for their great trunk effects, which can look marvellous with the sun on them including the criptomeria at Portmeirion, a real giant of a tree.

By Pat Edwards