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Companion plants in container
ripply
Posts: 73
I've got a small conifer (1ft) with two trailing cotoneaster plants in a very large container. I'll just bought a larger conifer (3ft) to replace this current one. I'm wondering if I should still keep the cotoneaster plants in with this new one? There will still be plenty of room and the container would look rather empty with just the tree, but I could add something else if it would be better. Is the cotoneaster likely to damage this little tree's roots?
Also, should I re-pot it into this container now, or is it best to wait until autumn?
Last edited: 01 August 2016 13:39:21
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Oh gosh, you were right Verdun. I've just been out and emptied the current plants from this pot. It was almost impossible to separate them. The cotoneaster had become just a huge mass of roots and the little conifer and the spiky juniper had been swamped completely. I didn't know cotoneaster would be so invasive. They were only bought and potted up last October.
The new conifer is a Thuja Occidentalis 'Golden Smaragd'. I've put it in the pot on its own for now. I think the old smaller conifer is the same type. They look very similar except this new one is much bigger. I'm wondering now if the little tree couldn't grow because of the cotoneaster. Or maybe they are just slow growing.
Now I'm wondering what on earth to do with the cotoneaster. I've never particularly liked it. I only bought it as the guy in the nursery recommended it to go with the conifer!
I've already potted it up with multi purpose. should I redo it with the john innes? I think I'll just get rid of the cotoneaster. I wasn't fond of it before but now I really dislike it.
I've got 3 of these big containers. One has a conifer alone now, another has a camellia and the third has an evergreen azalea. Those have annuals in with them as I've been hoping they'll eventually grow big enough to need the whole pot. I've been looking up the aubretia which is lovely. Is there any of these plants that it would go best with? Or would it be better planted out in the garden?