TREES and shrubs who produce winter fruit or flowers are to be cherished at this time of year, writes TOM ATTWOOD. Anything that can inject some colour into the garden when the majority of plants are in their winter dormancy is a boost for any outdoor space. I’m a firm believer that every garden should have at least one winter performer.

There’s limited space here to produce an exhaustive list of potential candidates but some stalwarts that I plant extensively for their reliability as well as their distinctive beauty:

• Malus ‘Red Sentinel’ I first came across this tree at Gresgarth Hall some years ago in late autumn and was stunned by the volume of fruits produced. The sumptuous colouring glistens, but also, the longevity of the fruit is remarkable. As a member of the crab apple clan it’s fruits can be used for making jelly but there are far better cultivars to pursue if that’s a priority. If space is tight, source one that is growing on a dwarfing rootstock.

• Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii 'Profusion' as a student this always formed part of the winter ‘ident test’ repertoire, and for good reason. A plant that comes into its own during the winter. Festooned with clusters of pearl like berries that are so violet-purple they don’t look plant derived. A shrub that won’t normally exceed four to five feet and can be lightly pruned to maintain it’s shape. The rather apt common name of beautyberry belongs to this fabulous plant.

• Arbutus unedo the strawberry tree has glossy evergreen leaves, attractive bark and produces the most fantastic berries that are a luminous golden orange about the size of a cherry tomato.

• Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ is a hawthorn whose ultimate size is suited to the smaller space. The glossy, rich summer foliage turns beautifully in the autumn and is followed by a mass of orange red berries creating a strong visual effect. We have several in large terracotta pots under planted with bulbs and perennials. Using the pots will semi-bonsai the trees and produce a much smaller specimen over the years by restricting the root growth.

Next week: gardens to visit in December