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Trees in Pots
I have a yard,not a garden. It is approx 75 metres long and 25 metres wide,it runs East to West so we get the sun all day.I would like to know what type of trees i could grow in containers,what size of containers would i need. I do not mind getting very large ones. As you can probably tell i do not know much about gardening,i am just starting out.I would like to get decent sized plants as being in my late sixties i may not see small ones mature.All help appreciated. Thank You.
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You can grow almost anything in a container, the size of the pot will restrict whatever you plant. Native tree's aren't usually grown this way, so some of the ornamental trees and shrubs would probably be a better bet. Just remember pots need to be as large as possible to give the roots room to grow and spread. You need to start small with the pots then graduate up as the tree or shrub grows. The potting medium needs to be soil based, so look or a John Innes No3 potting compost, available at garden centres. Personally I'd go for Acers for trees, slow growing, but very pretty. Fruit trees do well in containers, and the list of shrubs is endless. The other thing to remember is watering and feeding, which has to be done on a regular basis. Hope this helps.
katd, there are specialist nurseries who supply large, very large and flippin' huge trees in pots. It's all down to your budget.
Google: "specimen trees" and you'll find lots of them.
Conifers can look very nice in large pots.
You will need to make sure the trees are fed regularly during the summer and of course they will need to be watered too so don't overstretch yourself by getting too many.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=274
Acers, so many different types and they do so well in pots. Love love love them..
I've got an Japanese Maple (acer palmatum) in a pot in the back garden. It's been moved round a few times as the mood took me but never fails to look beautiful.
The colour is especially nice in autumn just before it drops it's leaves and the bare branches have vibrant red colour which provides year round interest. Come autumn I put it near my climbing hydrangea in a shady corner where they both provide a late burst of vivid colour.
Lilacs can do very well in large pots. Spirea will give you Spring blossom and Autumn colours. Mahonia is evergreen and smothered with yellow flowers in Spring which the bees go mad for. All of these grow quickly! Can you put some trellis up against a wall? If so you can grow climbing plants such as Winter flowering Jasmine or even roses -I have a climbing rose that's been growing for 20+ years in a large stone alpine dish that's about 2 feet by 3 feet by 10 inches deep. The rose grows to around 8 feet in height and is smothered in roses. It's never been re-potted but each year I give it a good dressing with manure. As with all pots, you will need to water regularly in Summer but could easily set up a drip irrigation system.
Bob Bob, me too, it is my favourite acer for colour and shape, everyone comments on it when they see it. It makes me feel really competent, but I didn't do anything other than put it in a pot. I also move in into a more sheltered location in the Winter to minimise wind burn etc. and that is the real beauty of pots - flexibility to move them around.
If you want interesting colour you could go for a silver birth. Very elegant and not dense so a nice light airy feel.
If you want a show, you could go for a flowering cherry like a Kanzan. Simply stunning blooms in late spring / early summer and amazing orange and gold leaves in autumn.
I know they are not trees but have you thought about bamboos. They have the same stature as small trees and can do well in half barrels.
if you are going to grow large plants in pots you might think about installing an irrigation system. A lot of people have recommended Acers which are wonderful but will not tolerate drying out.
Thank you every one for your replies,i will certainly look up speciman trees,i do like acers.I thought silver birch were very large trees.But i will certainly see about one.You have all given me a lot to think about as there is quite a variety suggested. Thank you very much.