11 Trees and Shrubs for Beautiful Feature Bark

Laura Laura

5 min read

11 Trees and Shrubs for Beautiful Feature Bark

In these chilly winter months, the garden can look a little bleak. However, there are ways to inject vibrancy and texture into your space with beautiful feature bark. There are more options than you may think, and we have picked our eleven favourite trees and shrubs for you to explore 🌳

Tibetan Cherry Tree (Prunus Serrula) 

Tibetan Cherry or Prunus Serrula, is a striking tree with glossy coppery-brown bark that peels and becomes more textured as it matures. It's an ideal ornamental tree for smaller gardens, with its vibrant bark providing a much-needed pop of colour in winter. In spring, it blooms delicate white flowers, followed by red berries that attract birds and its vibrant autumn leaves add further seasonal interest.

  • Glossy coppery-brown bark
  • Ideal for small gardens
  • Any moist but well-drained soil
  • Will flourish in full sun

Prunus serrula bark

Prunus serrula blossom
 

Red Twisting Willow Tree 'Erythroflexuosa' (Salix 'Erythroflexuosa')

If you're looking for a splash of colour for your garden, look no further than Red Twisting Willow Tree or Salix 'Erythroflexuosa'. In winter, its vivid red branches shine brightly in the sunlight and are sure to add flair to a garden border. The twisting branches form an impressive architectural display, and the tree also displays yellow catkins in the spring and bright green leaves that follow.

  • Vibrant red bark
  • Ideal for small gardens
  • Any moist but well-drained clay, loam and sand soils
  • Will flourish in full sun

Salix 'Erythroflexuosa'

Salix 'Erythroflexuosa' leaves
 

Chinese Red Birch 'Septentrionalis' (Betula albosinensis 'Septentrionalis')

A stand out among birch trees, Chinese Red Birch or Betula albosinensis 'Septentrionalis', features beautiful cinnamon and mahogany coloured bark that peels away each season to reveal soft shades of lavender, cream and grey. This medium sized tree is a fantastic choice for adding eye-catching textured bark and unusual colours to your space.

  • Cinnamon and Mahogany bark
  • Peeling colourful bark
  • Any moist but well-drained soils
  • Will flourish in full sun or partial shade

Betula albosinensis 'Septentrionalis' bark

Betula albosinensis 'Septentrionalis' tree
 

Black Stem Dogwood 'Kesselringii' (Cornus Alba 'Kesselringii')

Want to add some drama to the garden? Black Stem Dogwood or Cornus alba 'Kesselringii' boasts dark red stems that transform into an intense plum in winter. These unique stems are a particular favourite among florists for creating stunning winter arrangements, and in the garden, they provide a bold contrast to winter-blooming shrubs like Hellebores. Versatile and beautiful, 'Kesselringii' blooms delicate white flowers in spring which attract pollinators and offers red and purple autumn colour.

  • Deep purple stems in winter
  • Ideal for small gardens
  • Moist but well-drained clay, loam and sand soils
  • Will flourish in full sun or partial shade

 Cornus alba 'Kesselringii'

 Cornus alba 'Kesselringii' small flowers


Snake Bark Maple 'Viper' (Acer davidii 'Viper')

If your garden feels flat and could use more texture, Acer daviddi 'Viper' commonly known as Snake Bark Maple, might be the perfect tree for you. The bold, silvery and green striped bark, which resembles snake skin, provides a unique year-round texture, and is highly decorative in winter. Beyond its bark, 'Viper' has stunning autumn colour followed by pinkish-brown fruit.

  • Silver and green striped bark
  • Adds unique texture year-round
  • Any moist but well-drained soils
  • Will flourish in full sun or partial shade

Acer davidii 'Viper'

Acer davidii 'Viper' bark
 

Himalayan Birch Tree 'Snow Queen' (Betula utilis 'Snow Queen')

The stunning Himalayan Birch 'Snow Queen' is our best selling tree and for good reason. Its striking white bark develops quicker than other birch varieties, allowing you to appreciate its beauty sooner. The white is accentuated by the stripes of peeling bark which have a soft orange hue. In spring, the tree is adorned by yellow catkins, and its leaves, which contrast with the white bark, turn a golden yellow in the autumn. With its slender shape, its perfect for smaller gardens and makes a great feature tree.

  • Bright white bark
  • Suitable for small gardens
  • All moist but well-drained soils
  • Very hardy & will flourish in full sun or partial shade

Betula utilis jacquemontii 'Snow Queen' Himalayan Birch

Betula utilis 'Snow Queen' multistem tree
 

Japanese Maple 'Sango-kaku' (Acer palmatum 'Sango-Kaku')

'Sango-Kaku', is unique among Japanese Maples for its colourful bark that remains vibrant into the winter months. In summer, its coral coloured bark creates a striking contrast with its green-yellow leaves, which later transform into stunning autumn hues. A cold snap actually enhances the beautiful coral color, which is uncommon in comparison to other trees. This is a particularly hardy variety which makes it an ideal choice for gardeners planting their first Japanese Maple.

  • Coral red bark, deepens in winter
  • Ideal for small gardens
  • All moist but well-drained soils
  • Will flourish in full sun or partial shade

Acer palmatum 'Sango-Kaku'

Acer palmatum 'Sango-Kaku'
 

Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

Arbutus Unedo, commonly known as the Strawberry Tree, is admired for its bright red and yellow ornamental fruits and delicate urn-shaped white flowers that bloom in autumn. However, did you know it also boasts stunning bark? As the tree matures, the bark turns a rich red and peels away creating a textured, ragged appearance that enhances a gardens appeal. This evergreen tree is a true all-rounder, adding an exotic touch to any space.

  • Deep red-brown bark
  • Peeling bark for texture
  • Well drained, loam, sand and chalk soils
  • Will flourish in full sun

Arbutus unedo

Arbutus unedo red and yellow fruits
 

Birch Tree 'Black Star' (Betula Nigra 'Black Star')

Birch 'Black Star' is our favourite birch tree for textured bark. As it peels, it reveals a stunning mix of pink, orange and light brown tones, which deepen and develop into a beautiful variety of shades as the tree matures. This tree particularly stands out in the winter months, adding a unique touch to the garden.

  • Peeling colourful bark
  • Great for a winter feature
  • Moist but well-drained, loam, sand and clay soils
  • Will flourish in full sun or partial shade

Betula nigra 'Black Star' River Birch

 

Dogwood 'Midwinter Fire' (Cornus Sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire')

Dogwood 'Midwinter Fire' or Cornus Sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire', sets your garden alight with beautiful sunset tones. This species is grown specifically for its vivid red and orange winter colour and looks particularly good amongst evergreen plants. Similarly to Cornus 'Kesselringii', it also produces pretty star-shaped, white flowers in spring that pollinators love, and boasts impressive autumn colour.

  • Vivid red and orange bark
  • White flowers in spring
  • Moist but well-drained soils
  • Will flourish in full sun or partial shade

 

Paperbark Maple (Acer Griseum)

As the name suggests, the Paperbark Maple Tree is known for its attractive peeling bark which resembles delicate strands of paper. The bark has lovely red and orange shades which look especially stunning in the winter sun. In addition, this tree displays incredible autumn colours, and as the leaves fall, the exposed bark becomes a focal point throughout winter.

  • Chestnut coloured bark 
  • Papery bark peels to expose red and orange tones
  • Moist but well-drained soils
  • Will flourish in full sun or partial shade

 
Laura
Laura

Laura is part of the Marketing Team at Ornamental Trees, and particularly loves species with incredible autumn colour for her photography. She is also passionate about supporting wildlife & the eco-system with trees.