An essential graphic element to enliven and sublimate the rest of the garden, a real focal point. This small deciduous tree has superb, satiny cinnamon-red bark that peels off in rolls. It produces creamy-white flowers in clusters in April and May, followed by black fruit in late summer and autumn. Its elongated olive-green foliage lights up golden in autumn. Undemanding, it thrives in well-drained soils and, once well established, is resistant to dry conditions. It is more vigorous in cool soil. It can be planted singly or in groups, with birch, dogwood and other decorative bark, or with bamboo. A uniform ground cover will help it to stand out, such as Pachysandra, Vinca, heather or Persicaria.