This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Container Shrubs
jonn_07
Posts: 7
Evening all.. we have an old whisky barrel in our garden (recently moved in) and plan on adding a few shrubs to it in a semi-shaded corner. Apart from adding drainage are there any other do’s and dont’s? Specific compost/soil etc? Sorry about the amateur-ish question, it’s our first home so apart from your standard annuals etc I haven’t got a lot of knowledge but I’m getting there.. slowly. Thanks a lot.
0
Posts
Despite what you read in books most shrubs do grow out of their containers eventually, but for some years in a row I have had success with Camellias in particular. You need to use soil based ericaceous compost for them (again John Innes best), and give them a bucket of seaweed fertiliser a week from mid July to mid September to ensure the flower buds don't drop off, then they will do wonders in a semi-shaded corner.
Nandina domestica is another nice container shrub for half shade, as are hydrangeas (but they quickly grow to a size where they need quite a bit of watering). Fuchsias would also be good, and flower for ages. lthough lots of people grow Acer palmatum in large containers, mine have always done a lot better in the open ground.
There are lots of evergreens, like box and Cotoneaster, that you might like--I have Cotoneaster x suecicus 'Juliette' which is a weeping form with variegated leaves and red berries. In general pots are fun for weeping standards.
Have fun!