Shrubs For Containers Compiled by: JE Larby Garden Design & Consultancy Tel: 01420 87271 Mobile: 07789 072750
In theory any plant can be grown in a container. The correct size of container will determine the success or failure of that plant. Obviously the larger the plant is likely to grow, the larger the container required. Feeding & watering are another key factor to consider, and for larger growing specimens pruning will also be important to ensure the plants retain their good looks! The reality is that not all plants are happy growing in containers. Their roots prefer to have the freedom of the surrounding mineral soils of open ground. We have compiled a list of reasonably easy to grow feature plants that are practical in containers. Most will have an architectural nature, the ideal requirement for a plant to make a good candidate for a container specimen. Key: E Evergreen D Deciduous E/D Evergreen & deciduous varieties available
Aucuba japonica Strong architectural foliage. One for the larger pot. Responds well to pruning for shape. Ideal for a shady spot. E Abelia kaleidoscope Bright coloured foliage with a nice dome-like low growing habit. Useful in a rounded container. E Acer palmatum Acers containerise well, producing attractive foliage with wonderful autumn colours. Best in partial shade. Dissectum types form attractive shapes ideal for rounded pots. D Bamboo Grow dwarf forms or the less vigorous, clump forming types if you require height. Soft green foliage adds a touch of elegance to your patio display. Shape when required & feed regularly. Semi-shade/shade preferred. Good in larger pots. E Buxus Shapes created from Buxus plants are very fashionable and used very much as a formal feature, thus plants are ideally suited to formal shaped containers. Perform in sun or shade. Will tolerate dry conditions. E Choisya ternata Choisyas provide architectural foliage which, given the correct pot, can add good structure to the patio display. Give good root space to ternata via a larger pot. Good in sun or shade. E
Camellia Strong glossy foliage which looks good on patios in a larger container. Avoid a south east position and feed well, providing iron from time to time. Avoid drying out. Accepts shade. E Cordyline australis A reasonable pot size is required. Excellent spiky architectural foliage to associate with other planted shapes on the patio. Prefers sun. Drought tolerant. Children watch your eyes! E Euonymous japonica Different types of variegated foliage to brighten up the patio display. Tidy vertical growth. Keep an eye out for vine weevil. E Fatsia japonica Large glossy architectural leaves. Great for patio structure. Larger pot required. Responds well to pruning when required. Avoid plant becoming leggy. Good in shade. E Ferns Lovely soft foliage useful for lower and medium sized pots. Plant in ericaceous compost & position in shade. Avoid drying out of pots. E/D Hydrangea Macrophylla varieties succeed well in larger containers, preferring a semi-shaded position. Long flowering season for a patio display. Avoid drying out. D
Mahonia Soft Caress Lovely form of Mahonia. No sharp leaves to worry about. Slow growing, reaching approx. 1 metre height. Start with medium size pot. Semi-shade. E Nandina domestica/nandina Fire Power Both types have attractive foliage form, with good autumn colour. Domestica provides lovely cut foliage. Sun/semi-shade. E Phormiums Good architectural foliage in various colours adding further drama to the patio display. Plant sizes vary so pot size will be determined by the chosen variety. Sun/Semi-shade. E Pieris japonica Slow growing, but when established look very structural. Very much a feature plant. Semishade/shade. E Pittosporum Tom Thumb Creates a rounded shape to contrast with other plant shapes on patio. Small leaves are purple most of the year. Slow growing. Sun/semishade. E Rhododendron Dwarf Rhododendrons can look particularly good in containers, not only providing lovely flowers but also good foliage form & shape. Plant in ericaceous compost. Medium sized pot. Semi-shade. E
Sarcococca hookeriana digyna Attractive narrow leaves. Very erect growth. Soft bamboo appearance. Fragrant winter flowers. Semi-shade/shade. E Trachycarpus fortune Large cut leaves. Very architectural. Larger pot ideal. Will slowly make a taller plant for the patio. Sun/Semi-shade. E Yucca Strong, spiky foliage. Good contrast to other plant shapes. Medium sized pot. Lovely flowers when they appear. Drought tolerant. Sun. E