COLUMNIST: KATIE REYNOLDS
Number one on my list has to be dogwood. A medium sized shrub, it comes in a range of vibrant bark colours. One of the hardiest and most distinctive is Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ with its bright red bark. When planted en masse as an informal hedge it can look really striking.
I also recommend Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire’ which has blazing orange stems and looks great planted in amongst grasses. The subtler deep plum tones of Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii' is another good choice and goes very well with silver evergreen foliage such as Stachys byzantine (Lamb’s Ear), or Brachyglottis.
Dogwood is best planted in full sun and the stems need to be cut right back in early spring every year or two to maintain the strength of the bark colour. The cuttings root very easily so you can quickly grow a number of plants to increase your stock.
The beautiful white peeling bark on the tall, slender branches of the Himalayan birch is hard to beat. The intensity of white feels luminous against the Scottish winter skies, brightening up the space with an ethereal quality.
It grows to over 10m (33’) in height, though a multi-stemmed example will be smaller and will create an even more statuesque form. It can be planted on its own as a specimen tree, or in a cluster for added impact.
Best planted in full sun or light shade, the bark whitens as it matures so do not worry if you buy a young sapling which is not truly white. For a dazzling display, the bark can be washed with water and a sponge to brighten it up!
The distinctive paper-like bark on this acer has a wonderful texture. The curling, cinnamon brown bark gracefully peels away in translucent frills which looks particularly striking when back lit by the sun. Underneath is a richer terracotta coloured bark. This is an ideal ornamental tree for your garden and comes into its own in winter.
It grows to a maximum of 10m (33’) in height so this is a good choice for a smaller garden, positioned in full sun or part shade.
In contrast to the flaking paperbark maple, the Tibetan cherry is delightfully smooth and shiny, making it invitingly tactile. When the polished mahogany bark catches the low winter sun it glows giving a spectacular winter display. A great addition for all but the smallest of gardens, growing to about 10m (33’) in height, it is best positioned in a sunny spot.
Willow ‘Erythroflexuosa’ not only has beautiful coloured bark, but a sculptural form too. Its contorted, twisting branches take on an architectural quality in the winter when the bones of the bare tree can be truly appreciated.
The bark on the younger shoots first appears in yellow-orange, deepening to a richer bronze as the plant ages. This is a small tree or large shrub and can grow to about 6m (20’), but can equally be pollarded or pruned to be kept more compact if you have little space. Best planted in full sun and a moist spot so it does not dry out. A perfect option for a damp garden.
Katie Reynolds Design is a garden and interior design studio for residential and commercial clients in Aberdeenshire and across the North East.
Katie works on a range of projects from city flats to country houses, public gardens to coastal properties. Follow Katie on Instagram and Facebook, visit www.katiereynoldsdesign.co.uk to browse some of her recent projects, or pick up her top garden design secrets on the Scotland Grows Show.
