Brighten the dark days — and lift your spirits — with the blazing colours of dogwoods, bamboos and brambles

The days might be cold and grey but your outside space can still bring you joy – there are sturdy, vigorous plants that will fill it with beauty and heart-lifting colour…

Plants that glitter brightly under a layer of frost

Liz Zorab lists her favourites for early winter interest and scent

Looking to bring the full panoply of autumn colour into your garden? Try a deciduous shrub, says Joe Swift

John and Jenny Brett have created an all-year garden design at St Mary’s, combining formal plant structures with colourful insect-friendly perennials, but in winter, when dusted with white and dancing with shadows, the garden shimmers