shrub tree plant for large pot

oldwisteria · July 2023

I have two gorgeous tall thick cylindrical terracotta pots measuring 34cm internally by 64cm. They are on my patio which is west facing, so get full sun for a good part of the day. And they are empty! I am having such trouble deciding what to put in them. I have considered apple and pear trees, possibly a cherry, or weeping salix kilmarnock, silk bush, smoke bush, or that one that looks like a mimosa...it goes on and on. I would have a pair, I think. I am not wild about acers, and want something different to some topiary thing. I am reasonably fond of 1970s conifers, but then wonder if I should consider the wildlife...help, please!!!(And thanks in advance.)

Dovefromabove · July 2023

Hello @oldwisteria and welcome to the forum 😊

An interesting question … and those pots sound lovely … but I don’t think they’re big enough for a tree … I think they’d look fabulous with a large fountain of an ornamental grass billowing out of them … like champagne out of a bottle.
Something like this?
https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/carex-testacea-prairie-fire/classid.2000028510/

Fairygirl · July 2023

I'd agree - if it's those tall but narrow containers, it won't be suitable for anything woody that has a large root system, and willow of any kind would be impossible to maintain.

Grasses yes, but you could also consider using an inner pot which can then be changed around to suit the season. If you have six pots the same size, you could have a pair potted up with bulbs for spring, another pair with annuals or easy perennials for summer and then something like one of the smaller Hebes for winter interest. You could even use conifers temporarily, but they'd need somewhere else eventually unless you use one of the specialist nurseries who grow a few of the genuinely small species, but that's an expensive route to take which is why very few people bother.
Something that can be pruned would work for that spell between annuals finishing and the early bulbs, although I see you don't really want topiary as such, but common old privet is fairly easy short term and could be left the rest of the year to do it's own thing. Some of the Euonymous fortuneii varieties would also do the same job and are fairly straightforward

Dovefromabove · July 2023

The only problem with shrubby plants such as conifers and other evergreens in those tall cylindrical pots is that they catch the wind and the foliage acts like a too-heavy sail and the pots tip over much more easily than you’d imagine from the weight of them.

Busy-Lizzie · July 2023

Dwarf conifers should be fine. The pots aren't quite wide enough for the plants you mention but small shrubs would be OK, such as dwarf choisya White Dazzler, lavender, dwarf little leaf lilacs, dwarf buddlieas.

oldwisteria · July 2023

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think you are right re the size and shape of the pot for trees - I think that is why I have been hesitating. There is no point growing something that is distinctly unhappy, as far as I'm concerned. I did consider the grasses idea, as I am very fond of such things, so that is definitely something to revisit. The idea of changing with seasons sounds good, but I know myself too well, and probably wouldn't get round to the switch. I lost one gorgeous and immense pot due to said wind last year, and was most upset - it was huge, and very thick - made no difference as the wind caught it from an unusual angle. Again, thank you, as you have all clarified my thoughts. (I have some birthday money to spend on something lovely, so will get it sorted soon.)

Busy-Lizzie · July 2023

@oldwisteria, our posts may have crossed. I hope you find something suitable.

Dovefromabove · July 2023

Ooh such fun spending birthday money … do let us know what you spend it on 😊

shrub tree plant for large pot

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