Cornus sericea Arctic Fire™

White spring flowers and green summer foliage are lovely. Brilliant red young stems against fresh snow? THAT’S THE HEADLINER. This compact dogwood delivers winter colour without demanding half the garden. Plant where you can admire it from indoors. You bought the shrub. You are under no obligation to personally experience the wind chill.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’

Yellow stems warm through orange to red tips, creating a fiery winter display. White flowers and golden autumn foliage keep the seasonal story moving. Give it a sunny position where those stems can catch the light. YOUR FLOWER BED NOW LOOKS LIKE A SMALL BONFIRE. PLEASE DON’T ARRIVE WITH A BUCKET.

Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’

Yellow-green young stems bring a different colour to winter planting, especially beside red dogwoods or dark evergreens. White flowers and fresh summer foliage round out its appeal. ONE GOOD PLANT COMBINATION AND SUDDENLY YOU’RE SAYING “THE CONTRAST” WHILE YOUR FAMILY JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER YOU’RE COMING INSIDE FOR DINNER.

Cornus alba Ivory Halo®

Cream-edged foliage brightens the growing season, then red stems take over after leaf drop. Its relatively compact habit makes it particularly useful in mixed borders. Periodically renew older stems for stronger winter colour. TWO SEASONAL WARDROBES FROM ONE SHRUB. YOUR GARDENING HOODIE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THAT BUDGET CAME FROM.

Ilex verticillata Berry Poppins®

This compact winterberry reveals a glorious crop of red berries when its leaves fall. Give it reliable moisture and Mr. Poppins® nearby for pollination. She supplies the spectacle. He makes the fruit possible. THEY’RE A TEAM, ALTHOUGH ONLY ONE OF THEM HAS BEEN ASKED TO POSE FOR THE CHRISTMAS CARD.

Ilex verticillata Berry Heavy® Red

A larger winterberry with an abundant red fruit display on bare branches. Plant with Mr. Poppins® for pollination and allow room for its mature size. Birds and weather influence how long the berries remain. THE LOCAL WILDLIFE HAS DISCOVERED YOUR LANDSCAPING AND IS NOW REFERRING TO IT AS “THE BUFFET.”

Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’

Glossy summer foliage gives way to bright red berries on a substantial winter framework. Plant with ‘Southern Gentleman’ for pollination. The fruit is the main attraction after leaf drop. A GENTLEMAN WHO HELPS WITH WINTER DECORATING WITHOUT SPENDING AN HOUR LOOKING FOR THE GOOD SCISSORS? WE UNDERSTAND THE APPEAL.

Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’

Spring flowers. Glossy summer leaves. Fiery autumn colour. Red berries that can persist into winter. This upright shrub has assembled a very convincing seasonal résumé. YOU ASKED WHAT IT BRINGS TO THE GARDEN. BRILLIANTISSIMA HAS PREPARED A PRESENTATION AND WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU SAVED QUESTIONS UNTIL THE END.

Symphoricarpos albus

Small summer flowers lead to white berries that can linger after leaf drop. Blue-green foliage and arching stems suit informal planting with room for its spreading habit. Treat the berries as ornamental. EVERYONE ELSE CAME DRESSED FOR A WALK IN THE SNOW. SNOWBERRY ARRIVED WEARING PEARLS AND ASKED ABOUT THE COAT CHECK.

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Clusters of purplish-red berries linger into winter along gently arching stems. Small summer flowers and blue-green foliage precede the fruit display. Give this suckering shrub room in an informal border. THE GARDEN’S JEWELLERY DEPARTMENT HAS EXPANDED. APPARENTLY, WHITE BERRIES WERE JUST THE BEGINNING OF A MUCH LARGER ACCESSORIZING PROBLEM.

Viburnum trilobum

White spring flowers become red berries that can provide winter colour and food for birds. Reddish-purple autumn leaves add another performance before the branches take centre stage. Allow space and another genetically distinct compatible plant for better fruiting. YOUR GARDEN NOW HAS SEASONAL DECORATIONS THAT THE BIRDS MAY EVENTUALLY REMOVE FOR YOU.

Ilex × meserveae Berri Magic®

Glossy evergreen leaves and red berries bring classic winter character. ‘Blue Prince’ and ‘Blue Princess’ grow together to support pollination, so retain both partners. Choose a sheltered position with acidic, well-drained soil. FESTIVE GREENERY THAT NEVER NEEDS TO BE FORCED BACK INTO A BOX LABELLED “CHRISTMAS MISCELLANEOUS.”

Buxus × ‘Green Mountain’

Its upright, pyramidal shape brings structure throughout the year, especially among winter grasses and seed heads. Fine evergreen foliage gives the garden a dependable vertical accent. Protect from drying winter winds. EVERY GARDEN NEEDS SOMEONE ORGANIZED. GREEN MOUNTAIN HAS ALREADY PRINTED THE ITINERARY AND WOULD LIKE EVERYONE READY BY EIGHT.

Ilex glabra Strongbox®

Dense, rounded evergreen growth keeps this compact shrub furnished right to the ground. Small spring flowers are a quiet extra; foliage and shape are the main event. Give it moist, acidic soil. A FULL, GREEN WINTER MOUND WITHOUT YOU HAVING TO SPEND EVERY WEEKEND CUTTING SOMETHING INTO A BALL. PROGRESS.

Mahonia aquifolium

Glossy, spiny foliage develops bronze-purple winter tones. Yellow spring flowers and blue fruit add seasonal contrast, making this far more than a green backdrop. Shelter from drying winter exposure helps preserve the display. IT HAS FLOWERS, FRUIT AND A WINTER OUTFIT. SOME OF US CONSIDER CHANGING OUT OF SLIPPERS A PRODUCTIVE DAY.

Corylus avellana ‘Red Dragon’

Burgundy foliage supplies growing-season drama. Winter exposes contorted branches, with catkins adding detail towards spring. Give it room to show off its extraordinary framework. YOU WENT OUT FOR ONE SHRUB AND CAME HOME AS AN ART COLLECTOR. PLEASE START REFERRING TO THE SIDE YARD AS “THE GALLERY.”

Salix udensis ‘Sekka’

Flattened, twisting branchlets make this large willow a winter conversation piece. Reddish-purple stems and spring catkins add to its appeal. Give it moisture and generous space. THE BRANCHES LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY SAT ON THE DESIGN PLANS. FORTUNATELY, THE PLANT TOOK THAT AS CREATIVE DIRECTION.

Salix gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’

Coloured winter stems lead into extraordinary dark catkins, with red anthers that later turn yellow as spring approaches. Best in sun with dependable moisture. ORDINARY PUSSY WILLOWS BROUGHT SILVER CATKINS. THIS ONE ARRIVED IN BLACK WITH RED ACCESSORIES AND ASKED WHETHER THERE WOULD BE A PHOTOGRAPHER.

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’

White flowers age through pink, oak-shaped leaves turn burgundy, and retained flower heads provide winter texture. Peeling bark becomes another attraction with age. THE FLOWERS FINISHED. YOU APPLAUDED. THEN RUBY SLIPPERS RETURNED WITH AUTUMN COLOUR, A COSTUME CHANGE AND A COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY THIRD ENCORE.

Hydrangea paniculata Limelight

Big summer blooms age from lime-green through creamy and pink tones. Leave the dried heads standing for winter texture, weather permitting, alongside grasses and perennial seed heads. YES, POSTPONING THAT GARDEN JOB CAN BE A DESIGN DECISION. YOU MAY NOW ANNOUNCE THAT YOU’RE “PRESERVING THE COMPOSITION.”