“I've found that so many trees, shrubs, and perennials actually thrive in containers — they make such gorgeous focal points in the garden or a lovely accent by the entryway. But trust me, choosing the…”
Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
I've found that so many trees, shrubs, and perennials actually thrive in containers — they make such gorgeous focal points in the garden or a lovely accent by the entryway. But trust me, choosing the right pot is everything if you want your plant to stay happy long-term. Here's what I always keep in mind when picking a container:
1. Sooner or later, you'll need to repot your plants to refresh the soil and give the roots a trim — it honestly helps keep their top growth in check, too. I've learned that root pruning is a great trick that lets your plant stay in the same container instead of needing a bigger one.
Keeping this in mind, I always look for a pot that lets me slide the plant out without a struggle or any damage. What I've found works best is a container whose rim doesn't curve inward over the soil, and one that's wider at the top than at the bottom.
2. If your container is staying outside year-round, make sure it can handle whatever your climate throws at it. This is especially important if you live somewhere that drops below freezing or has wild winter temperature swings. In my experience, you really need a pot that won't crack when the freeze sets in.
3. Now, if you're planning to move your planting indoors for winter or just like shuffling things around, think about how heavy it'll get — soil and all! I love putting mine on a wheeled base for easy moving. Just make sure those casters lock, or use potsherds or something to brace the wheels so your pot doesn't go rolling off on its own.
Read more about long-term container plantings:
Advice on Growing Shrubs in Containers
Growing Conifers in Containers in the Garden
4 Tips on How to Safely Overwinter Containers
