The ultimate garden, one with every season in mind, may be achieved by adding shrubs and trees that exhibit bold displays of evergreen branches or colored winter branches, or even better yet - layers of exfoliating bark. Prunus mackii with its exfoliating red-brown bark is gorgeous but we are far too warm to keep it happy. It's indigenous to the Amur River which runs between Russia and China, in the family with peaches, plums, cherries and almonds, the bark is a glowing burnt umber in color, hence the desire to own it. There are many other trees that exfoliate and grow perfectly well here, Parrotia persica, with its layers of bark in gray, green, and brown is just one good example. The flowers of parrotia arrive in early spring or late winter, small red streamers remind the gardener of hamamellis or witch hazel, a close relative. Very slow growing, this little known small tree offers multi-season interest with brightly colored foliage in fall, spring flowers of red and exfoliating bark year-round. Indigenous to Iran, like the ice plant or Chimonanthus praecox (incredible small, almost transparent fragrant flowers in winter), it is uncommon for plants from this part of the world to thrive in ours.

Given the many types of twigged dogwoods or cornus, one can readily imagine the yellow twigged dogwood, with its pure yellow stems, rising above a Chamaecyparis 'Gold Mop'. Additional 'Lemon Glow' daffodils will only highlight this as spring arrives, a yellow overload?... perhaps. Add a few Rhododendron mucronulatum with gorgeous lavender flowers on naked stems in March if you want a complementary counterpoint.

It was quite by accident, and only because I keep my garden segmented by color, that I learned how beautiful the hyacinth 'Gipsy Queen' was with the Cornus sanguineus 'Midwinter Fire'. This twigged dogwood's branches turn from red to yellow and finish in orange over the course of winter and spring. The Hyacinth 'Gypsy Queen' is sold as an orange flowering hyacinth, but it actually ages from an almost pure pink to a decidedly soft orange, a tough color to place well, the pair are perfect for each other.

Pinus bungeana is commonly known as the lacebark pine and the bark will exfoliate and reveal various shades of green with tan and bits of cream. A native of China, it is also a slow grower and possibly the most magnificent specimen around is at the National Arboretum, in the azalea collection. I planted seven many years ago and the beavers had there way with four and the remaining three are misshapen due to deer browsing. I once stood below a magnificent Pinus bungeana in a garden in Connecticut and words cannot describe its beauty.

Acer griseum are considered the reigning king of exfoliation when it comes to deciduous trees. Even when young the bark begins to peel and pop out in papery layers of red-brown. From central China, the site of an entire forest of these would be a spiritual experience for even a non-gardener. The biggest drawback for this wonderful tree is how slow it grows, buy the largest one you can find.

Lastly there is the false quince or Pseudocydonia sinensis. This seldom seen tree also exfoliates at a young age and is clearly its most beautiful in winter. The bark reveals layers of gray and cream and can be rubbed to flake off small bits of mosaic flecks. Related to quince but thornless, the fruit it produces are large and fall to the ground in winter. It seems that nothing eats them here (of Chinese origins), but they can be used for jam making after freezing. A very nice collection of them can be found at Blandy or the State Arboretum on Route 50 near Winchester.

Brightly colored branches can only be appreciated at this time of year and partner well with evergreen trees and shrubs. Exfoliation is certainly a thing of beauty and no harm is done in peeling some off to hold and admire - it's a winter thing.