In early January, leaves are sparse on the various Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia, below), but ones that remain are brilliantly colored. In shade, the hydrangeas are bare, but in part sun, the scattered leaves stand out against the dormant landscape.

The deeply colored leaves of the gordlinia clump (x Gordlinia grandiflora, below) are evergreen, but in this garden the color will turn to an unsightly brown when temperatures fall into the lower teens (Fahrenheit). These hang on until pushed aside by spring’s growth, so enjoy today, and tomorrow look the other way.

Flowers will brighten the garden through the winter months, but colored evergreen foliage (above), bark, and berries also lift the spirit during this winter lull. Red and yellow twigged (below) dogwoods are ornamental in leaf and flower, but they’re at their peak after leaves drop. Both also thrive in the damp soil of the lower rear garden.

While dogwoods must be cut back every few years to encourage colorful new growth, the yellow ‘Bihou’ (Acer palmatum ‘Bihou’, below) and two red stemmed Japanese maples are not pruned. Older stems turn woody, but the current years’ growth is exceptionally colored.

While the variegated, male English holly (Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea marginata’, above) has no berries, it stands out in the winter months. Handfuls of green leafed hollies (‘Mary Nell’, below) have clusters of red berries that are eaten by robins in late winter.

I do not notice berries of the various Rhodea (Rhodea japonica, below) being eaten, but large clumps scattered about the garden display ornamental clusters of red berries.