Top Tree Choices for Container Growing
In the heart of urban landscapes, space can often be a luxury. But fear not, gardening enthusiasts! A plethora of trees can thrive in pots, providing benefits such as convenience and ease.
When it comes to choosing the right tree for your container, size matters. Tree pots should be large to ensure a good root run and adequate moisture and nutrient levels. After four or five years, a tree in a pot will need to be repotted into a slightly larger pot, or root-pruned and replanted into the same pot with fresh compost.
Slow-growing or dwarf trees are ideal for growing in pots. For instance, the Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream', a popular variety of Japanese maple, remains compact and slow-growing. Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is another compact, multi-stemmed type with star-like flowers, suitable for growing in pots.
Fruit trees are often sold attached to a rootstock that controls their growth, and are often sold as dwarf fruit trees. Meyer lemon and calamondin are popular for containers because they fruit often, are fragrant, and are well suited to indoor overwintering in colder zones. Dwarf cherries, plums, apples, and figs are also available specifically for small spaces and containers.
For those seeking ornamental trees, Japanese maples come in a variety of colours, making them suitable for small gardens. The snowy mespilus (Amelanchier lamarckii) is a small tree with spring blossom and vibrant autumn colour, often grown multi-stemmed.
Italian cypress, while growing very tall, can be clipped to keep it in check. For a more architectural presence, consider the flowering dogwood with its long-lasting, pink bracts in spring and purple autumn leaves.
The Italian cypress and Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) with its finely divided leaves resembling mimosa, pink shaving brush-like flowers, and copes well with full sun and heat, are also suitable for pots.
When it comes to potting and container care, essentials include using a well-draining, fertile potting mix, ensuring the container has adequate drainage holes, and watering consistently so the rootball stays evenly moist but not waterlogged. Container trees need regular feeding because nutrients leach with watering; use a balanced, slow-release or fruit/tree-specific fertilizer on the schedule recommended for the species or nursery stock.
In cold climates, choose cold-hardy dwarf varieties or bring pots inside before freezing weather. Tender species like citrus should be moved indoors or to a protected spot in cold zones.
Practical container growing tips include using a container material and size appropriate to climate, monitoring pests and diseases closely, and sourcing disease-free nursery stock, especially for citrus.
For a tailored care schedule and specific cultivar recommendations based on your climate and preference for edible or ornamental trees, consult your local nursery or gardening expert. Happy potting!
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts can find a variety of dwarf trees suitable for growing in pots, such as the Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' or Meyer lemon.
- To ensure the long-term health of pot-grown trees, it's important to repot them every few years, use a well-draining, fertile potting mix, and water consistently to maintain even moisture.
