Cotoneaster microphyllus var. thymifolius is covered in small white flowers, followed by small red fruits in the autumn. Tolerant of most garden situations, it has a height and spread of less than 3ft. Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’ is grown for its foliage and is a good performer in most gardens. It can climb up a fence, reaching a height of around 8ft and a spread of 5ft.

My favourite lavender Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ has aromatic silver foliage and long stems of dark blue flowers. It is great in full sun and free draining soils (3ft in height and in spread). For drama, Phormium ‘Black Adder’ has almost black, strappy foliage which also looks tremendous in a pot. Best in good soil in a sunny, sheltered garden, it will reach 5ft in height and spread.

One of the best winter flowering shrubs is Mahonia x media ‘Charity’, which has bright yellow flowers followed by dark fruits. It is tolerant of most situations but avoid dry soils (up to 13ft in height and spread). And it may not be possible for a shrub to produce more flowers in spring than Olearia x scilloniensis. It needs free-draining soil and a sheltered, sunny position (8ft height and spread).

Finally, Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ AGM has glossy foliage with tassel-like flowers that reach their peak in winter. It likes a sheltered spot with reasonable soil (up to 13ft in height and spread).

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