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Suggestions for trees suitable for containers

FatsiaFatsia Posts: 35
in Plants
Hello all, I am looking for any suggestions for trees suitable for containers. I've recently moved and am working on adding some structure to the garden. What trees have you grown in pots and had success with? It could be edible or ornamental. It would be against a south west facing wall. 

Many thanks :) 
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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,769
    it would depend on the size of the "container"
    Devon.
  • FatsiaFatsia Posts: 35
    I'm willing to purchase something of an appropriate volume. Ideally an extremely large ornamental glazed pot. I need some height on my patio and I'm unable to dig out a bed in this area of the garden.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,769
    I've never seen any glazed pots which I'd consider big enough for trees. Maybe large shrubs, eg Japanese Maples might work?
    Devon.
  • FatsiaFatsia Posts: 35
    Thank you for the advice. I have very little experience with trees. Maybe a shrub trained as a standard might be a better solution then! 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 7,953
    Some fruit trees are specially grown as "patio trees" on dwarfing rootstocks.  Some are very columnar in shape; others are more like normal trees in miniature.  These do much better in pots than ordinary trees, but even they need regular feeding and watering, and may eventually need replacing.
    "The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life."  Rabindranath Tagore
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,769
    bamboos might give some drama ? You could look at fruit trees on dwarfing root stocks?
    Devon.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    You can keep some magnolias (eg M. stellata) in large pots for many years as they are slow growing anyway.  Be sure to avoid any type of pot/container which has a bulge etc. which would prevent you from removing it in the future should the need ever arise.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,586
    I grow quite a few things in pots because the soil here is so shallow and, with a limestone substructure, is quite dry.

    I would advise against ceramic pots because, unless you are Samson himself, you will find a full pot of any size almost impossible to move. A plastic pot is lighter and has the advantage of not breaking in a hard frost or after an accidental tup. They are recyclable but I haven’t had to throw one out yet after about ten years.

    Be sure to buy a cylindrical pot. Sloping sides cause instability, if the inward slope is towards the base, and impossible extrication of the plant at a later date if the inward slope is towards the top.

    Filled with John Innes No 3, they provide a good home for apple trees, if the rootstock is a very dwarfing one like M27.

    Here is one type that I have. It needs to have holes drilled in it for drainage  before you fill it.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • FatsiaFatsia Posts: 35
    I do like bamboos. And I'll have a look at some of the fruit trees that are 'suitable'. I'm more than happy to fertilise and water as much as I need to. Thanks for the input :)
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,769
    You could make your own planters with timber to fit the size/ shape as you require.
    Devon.
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