Rod wrote:

If it appears overgrown it's in the wrong place and should be got out.
But try growing a forsythia somewhere that it can reach it's potential
without being mutilated, then you'll have something truly spectacular
- granted it's only for a short time but there aren't really that many
plants that grab your attention on every day of the year.
A good crab like 'Golden Hornet' isn't bad on year round interest - or
as Sacha has already suggested, almost any fruit tree - if it's a
Cherry be prepared to donate your crop to the birds or to protect it
(squirrels will destroy anything short of wire netting if there are
cherries the other side)
We all know about the wonderful foliage on Acers but many of them also
make wonderful winter shapes in maturity.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, please keep them coming.
My garden is not large, and I already have a selection of Acers
of various sizes, (currently looking glorious) though that's not
to say I won't weaken again if I see the right one.

The autumn colour of a liquidamber attracts me, but unless there
is a compact variety, I don't think I have the room.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK


Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.