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Conifers going. Putting a pot in the conifer spot. What to put in pot

LsinshirleyLsinshirley Posts: 71
in Plants
Will post a pic of the conifers that are going, before I moved in 2 years ago, I wanted them gone, they are going next week.
Was thinking of putting pots in their place…
Maybe non invasive bamboo in pot? 
Any other ideas welcomed,I just want something that do not need much care.

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Anything in a pot will require a bit of attention as it will be relying on you for food and water at times.  Bamboo won’t like being in a pot for long.  Is height a requirement for you and would you prefer something that’s evergreen?  Details of your approximate location and aspect of the site will also help with recommendations.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LsinshirleyLsinshirley Posts: 71
    edited September 2023
    Thankyou for your thoughts, in the midlands, uk. Thinking about 4 to 8 footish…front garden is north facing. ☺️ Prefer ever green, but I am open to suggestions.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    To achieve something of that height you’re going to need very large pots.  When the conifers are removed could the roots be taken away or ground down too?  How about two more Phormiums to complement the one you already have?  They are easy to maintain and will be happy in that location.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LsinshirleyLsinshirley Posts: 71
    Plantminded said:
    To achieve something of that height you’re going to need very large pots.  When the conifers are removed could the roots be taken away or ground down too?  How about two more Phormiums to complement the one you already have?  They are easy to maintain and will be happy in that location.
    Roots are being ground down. Phoriums are a good idea. Now I know the name, it was here when I moved in. THank you for your help, much appreciated. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited September 2023
    I was going to say the same about nice potted plants next to the street like that - very prone to being stolen. Maybe better get the conifer roots taken out (not just cut down) and to choose something that you can plant in the ground after improving the soil. Some of the paving blocks that are close to the conifers might get dislodged, but they shouldn't be too tricky to re-lay with a bit of sand and cement.
    Edit - I hadn't spotted the bit about the roots being ground out. In that case, definitely better to add some organic matter to improve the soil and plant into the ground.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A pot is far more work. Unless you have serious enough rainfall all year round, any evergreen plant will need watered on a regular basis. 
    If you make a small surround for the area - brick to match the existing surroundings,  that will raise the height a little bit. You can then boost the soil to replenish it properly, as @JennyJ says, and plant something like Eleagnus or Ilex [holly] which will cope with anything once established. They need very little care. There are also things like Viburnums which will do the job. Some of the latter are deciduous and some are evergreen.
    This is a good time of year to plant shrubs and trees, as they don't require as much care due to autumn/winter weather.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If you decide to plant some more Phormiums in the ground once the conifer roots have been dug out and the soil revitalised @Lsinshirley, avoid the plain green one, P. Tenax, which gets too big and thuggish. The variegated varieties like P. Tricolor look much better and are easy to maintain.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LsinshirleyLsinshirley Posts: 71
    Thankyou everyone, I was going to spend a fortune on pot plants and get them chained  / cemented in. I have now changed my mind. Will use the cash I was going to spend on pots to improve the soil and after some time pop some plants directly into the ground. Thankyou again. 👍
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