Well, it's been a long and miserable winter in the garden. Even
the grass has lost its green.

I wandered around last week admiring the overlap of the late
winter and early spring: crocuses, snowdrops still full,
witch-hazel going strong.

My basic conclusion is that winter can't be over soon enough.

Still, I'm worried about next year, and so I'd like to brighten
it up a bit.

What's your favourite plant/shrub/tree for winter interest?

I enjoy the usual Cornus alba cultivars, various red or snakebark
maples, twisted hazel, some willows. But it's not enough, what more can
I plant to brighten up the dim winter days?

-E