Winter gardens are often celebrated for their quiet elegance; the pared-back beauty of structure, silhouette and subtle color that emerges once flowers have faded and leaves have fallen.
Yet many gardeners rely on the same familiar plants to create that interest, most notably the popular red twig dogwood, whose striking crimson stems have become a signature of cold-season landscapes. While it’s a classic for good reason, it represents only a small slice of the dramatic, unusual and richly textured possibilities available for winter bark and stems. Look a little further, and a world of unexpected color and form begins to unfold.
