Container inspiration please

MrsGarden

I've had a bronze cordyline in its (blue) container for some time. 

I now want to put it in the border and need ideas for the container, depth 35cm X diameter 35cm. 

I like the simplicity and low maintenance of the cordyline, want to keep something for every season - it's the main focus in winter. Could make most styles work. Full sun, patio, reasonably exposed/windy.

Bowles mauve? Grass like festuca? Small tree?  Mixed planting? Sarracocca - but would prefer something more interesting than box.Fragrance would be a bonus. 

Thanks for your ideas.

MrsGarden

Borderline

You could try a compact Strawberry tree. Arbutus unedo 'Compacta'. Dense evergreen leaves with small bell shaped pale pink flowers and then red fruits. Over time, you will have both on the same shrub making it very pretty. You will need ericaceous compost for that, but a nice all year round shrub.

If your patio is quite protected, you could also try Grevillea Rosmarinifolia. A lovely shrub that has fine needle-like foliage all year round, and throughout the year, it will also have red and yellow spidery looking flowers. Can be easily pruned and again will do fine in a loam-based compost, but best in ericaceous compost.

MrsGarden

strawberry tree sounds interesting.
probably too exposed for the grevillea.
Thanks so much for your suggestions.

MrsGarden

Can the strawberry tree (arbutus unedo compacta) be trained into a standard?

Borderline

Yes they can be trained, and you can also buy them already in standard form.

MrsGarden

Thanks Borderline, I'm just looking for one now...

Borderline

OK, good luck. In good garden centres, you may also see them available. They don't grow fast in containers, so hopefully, you will not need to re-pot so soon.

bullfinch

A dwarf, autumn-flowering camellia can be grown in a container. Evergreen and pretty flowers too.

bestwickrobert1

Viburnum Australis very scented or a skimmia

MrsGarden

Thanks, good ideas to look at. It may be a trip to GC rather than online.