Cornus alba 'Sibirica Variegata'

Cornus alba 'Sibirica Variegata' is a deciduous dogwood grown for colour through the seasons. In spring and summer the grey-green leaves have wide creamy-white edges, which brighten a border or a shady corner. In autumn the leaves turn shades of pink, red and purple before falling to reveal bright coral-red stems that last through winter. Small creamy flowers appear in late spring, followed by white berries tinged blue.

It earns its place all year, with fresh variegated leaves in summer and bright red stems in winter when little else is happening. It's tough, easy to grow and copes with damp ground where many shrubs struggle. It's also less vigorous than the plain green form, so it suits smaller gardens.