Winter stems

This is Cornus snaguinea 'Mid Winter Fire' which has bright burning orange stems - plant in large groups to get the best fiery effects.  Now is the time to prune Cornus by cutting out some of the oldest growth right down to the ground. Check which cultivar you have, as some won't need a really hard prune. 

The pliable winter stems of Rubus cockburnianus look like a roll of frosted barbed wire and need plenty of space. This plant is related to the bramble - I'll say no more.

Many Willows have brightly coloured young stems, but need pollarding to show them at their best. Willows are very vigorous and not always suitable for a small garden. They grow best near water.