Hardy deciduous shrubs and trees producing young shoots or stems with colourful bark are mostly natives of Europe and North America and are perfect for making your garden look better in winter. The stems are most colourful and eye catching  soon after leaves fall in late autumn, though some are at their best in midwinter. Often the production of coloured stems is stimulated by hard pruning the previous spring. If pruned annually, or every two to three years, most reach a height of 1.5-2.4m with a spread of around 1.8m and most will tolerate or even enjoy wet or waterlogged conditions, and thrive on most soils including clay and chalk. Stem colour is best in full sun.