There are fireworks going off in the garden throughout all the other seasons while Winter can be altogether more restful. We know there is a lot of interest – evergreens, winter flower and scent – and we shouldn’t forget trees and their bark in particular. Bone white birch (so many varieties – white stemmed – and pink, try Betula albosinensis Red Panda), bright copper-red cherry (Prunus Serrula), peeling acer (Acer griseum), swirling sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), smooth eucalyptus. The arboretum at RHS Wisley is an excellent place to start, with well-labelled groupings of betula (birch), sorbus (rowan), prunus (cherry) and many more…. you can appreciate and easily compare their size, form, structure and winter colour. Westonbirt Arboretum is my recommendation for the absolute must-see collection of Japanese Maples.