15 Trees and Shrubs That Thrive in Containers

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nurseryman might have any number of reasons for require to grow plant life or trees in container . Not everyone has an heroic yard in which they can plant eternal tree diagram or shrubs . And some kinsfolk may find a tall plant in a big container add a striking genius to a patio . Still others might want to produce a eccentric of tree that can not survive their winters , and needs to come inside when the weather condition cools . If any of these situations applies to you , debate adding a portable , container - uprise tree or shrub to your plant life collection .

How to Select Potted Trees and Shrubs

A small advance provision will ensure that your container - grown bush or tree diagram has the best hazard at succeeder :

These varieties will prosper for many years , becoming more beautiful and worthful as they grow .

1. Ficus (Ficus benjamina)

Ficus tree can grow quite tall when planted in the grounds — up to 55 ft or higher — but when they ’re planted in a container , they assert a much smaller form , usually around 5 to 6 foot high . Also lie with as a weeping fig , theficus treecan rise as a single specimen or in a tight group of three tree with their minute torso braided for a cosmetic look . The ficus tree features a leafy crown of shiny , benighted leaves that will complement any decor .

While the ficus is hardy only in zona 10 or higher , it can be grown as an indoor potted works in other zones . view moving it to a protect spot on the patio during the summertime when nighttime temps wo n’t drop below freezing .

2. Dwarf Peach (Prunus persica)

With adwarf peach treeon the patio , you ’ll be picking delicious , ripe peaches while enjoying the look of a specimen container tree . This small , attractive yield plant can produce a couple of bushels of looker each season . Peach trees expand in zones 6 to 9 , but might not fruit as much or as large when they spend the wintertime indoors because they postulate below - suspend temp to boost peach ontogeny .

Some dwarf lulu trees , however , need few cold hours . Bonanza is a dwarf variety that can produce yield whenwintered indoors . Golden Glory and El Dorado are dwarf varieties that wo n’t get taller than 5 to 6 foot . Whichever smorgasbord you take , set it in a container that holds at least 5 gallons of soil mix . Dwarf peach trees love a sunny spot on the terrace or terrace .

3. Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis)

If you ’re look for an redolent tree , attend no further thansweet bay , whose dark green leaves are savory culinary herbs . Hardy in USDA zone 8 to 10 , sweet bay can spend the summer on the patio . In colder zone , it should be moved indoors for the wintertime , sooner to a sunny windowpane and somewhere its redolent scent can be enjoyed by passersby . This slow - growing evergreen plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree will reach up to 8 metrical foot when planted in a container . If you ’re handy with pruning shears , soma laurel into a conical or orb shape for a geometrical design chemical element or topiary look .

4. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Whilecrape myrtlecan be pruned to a unmarried trunk and made to look like a small tree , it ’s really a shrub that bursts into showy bloom that range in color from cushy pink to deep purple and stunning red , depending on the species . In zones 6 through 9 , crape myrtle can be left outdoors to overwinter , which is preferable to moving it indoors where it may overlook most of its leave . Crape myrtle are some of the glossy shrubs around and they will lend a welcome splash of color to a terrace or deck , bloom from summer until mid - fall .

5. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

For lush bass - fleeceable to sensationalistic - green foliage , it ’s tough to beatboxwoodshrubs , which come in a variety of species , all well - suited to containers . Sometypes of boxwoods , such as Petite Pillar Dwarf , farm in a tight , uniform oval shape with a more conventional look , while others , such as Golden Dream , send out branches that casually drape over the edge of the planter or container . Buxus sempervirens‘Arborescens ’ is called tree boxwood for its obtuse growth .

prefer from dozens of coinage that range from 2 to 6 feet tall at maturity date and are fit for zone 4 to 9 ( check geographical zone for case-by-case species ) . One of the easiest bush to grow in a container , boxwoods will furnish your patio with class of beautiful foliage , and will hold their leave even over winter .

6. Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree (Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’)

Grow a lemon tree in a containeror pretty pot on your terrace with a and enjoy new - extort lemonade on a hot summer ’s daytime . Thedwarf Meyer lemon yellow treereaches an norm of 6 feet in height and will produce a bushel of bright maize fruit preceded by heavenly sweet white blossoms . While a gnome Citrus limon tree can be leave alfresco in zones 8 to 10 , it should be overwintered indoors near a sunny windowpane in colder part .

7. Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)

For a bevy of bountiful blossoms in colors ranging from white to purpleness ( or even green ) , thehydrangeashrub is the way to go . Hardy in zone 5 to 9 , the showyHydrangea macrophyllathrives in big containers that will hold 6 to 8 gallons of growing commixture , and the bush want well - draining , somewhat acidic land for maintain its bloom coloring .

A fertilizer made specifically for hydrangeascan help . Hydrangeacan be left to grow as a shrub with astray - arching branches or trained to a single torso for a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - corresponding visual aspect . In tardy fountain , large clusters of blooms appear and will continue look until late summer . Some are more cold - fearless , so delay item-by-item metal money .

8. Kumquat (Citrus japonica)

Akumquat treewill brighten a southerly patio or terrace year - daily round in zones 9 to 11 , and can contain edible citrus fruit 2 to 4 years after planting . In stale zones , plan to bring the tree diagram indoors before the first frost , locating it in front of a cheery windowpane to winter . In a container , the easy - growing kumquat tree typically accomplish around 5 to 7 feet in stature , although it can reach 13 feet when imbed in a pace . These container fruit trees prefer well - draining soil and should be transplanted to a slightly larger sight every 2 or 3 years to give its solution a routine of room to grow .

9. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Available in dozens of species , theJapanese mapleadds a graceful element to a terrace container in zone 5 through 8 . Prized for its ticklish , feathery leaf that come in a range of colors , including bright red , variegate pink , and recondite maroon , this easy - growing tree will become a focal point in the backyard . prefer for nanus motley such as Velvet Viking , Red Dragon , or some Rhode Island Red types , which reach a matured height of about 7 foot , make them the perfect accent in a court . In zone colder than 5 , this modest Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree should be overwinter indoors .

10. Golden Sword (Yucca filamentosa‘Golden Sword’)

With hit ( and sharp ) dampen - yellow , sword - similar leave of absence , thegolden swordshrub sends up tall floral spikes in former spring and other summertime top with dramatic clusters of white efflorescence . Also known as Adam ’s needles , this low - maintenance container shrub digest hot temps and temperate droughts . It will total texture and interest group to any patio , but it ’s especially prized in Southwestern - theme yards .

The yucca needs a gay spot and well - draining soil and is well suitable to zones 4 to 9 . The shrub reaches up to 3 feet high at maturity and the flower spike can extend as high as 6 feet tall .

11. Olive (Olea europaea)

Say you ’re live in an flat with a balcony while you save for a mansion . Now ’s the time to get anolive tree . It will do well in a container for 8 or 9 years before needing to be plant in its last home : the G at your new house in warmer zone ( 8 and above ) . Gardeners in USDA Zone 7 and below will have to winter theirolive tree diagram indoors , and hope they can keep it felicitous as it ages in its container . repot every couple of years , using right well - draining , rocky soil , will help oneself .

12. Daphne (Daphne spp.)

Daphnesare tardily - raise shrubs appreciate for their intoxicate fragrancy . Gardeners in zones 4 through 9 will likely be able to growD. burkwoodiiyear - round on a semi - shaded patio , whereas gardeners in parky domain will have to overwinter this and other daphnes indoors . These evergreen shrub are deep - rooted , so choose a tall pot and a variety that does n’t grow very large . Bear in mind that this industrial plant is toxic to ducky and citizenry .

13. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

A fast grower that can be trim into a tree form or left shrubby , cherry red laurelis an evergreen flora that bring out fragrant flowers in spring . Plant it in a big container — at least 5 gallon — and place the container in a full- to part - sunshine placement . Though it is drouth - broad , cherry laurel does need rich soil that drains well . Prune it annually to keep it in ascendence , and plan to bring the evergreen plant shrub / small tree indoors to overwinter if you live north of zone 6 for most diverseness . Cherry laurel , too , is toxic for creature and mankind .

14. Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)

middling in pink , bougainvilleais a favorite of container gardeners . This South American aboriginal is notable for its climbing power , but it can also be pruned into a big bush shape . Because this tropic plant is hardy only in zones 9 to 11 , most U.S. gardeners will have to bring bougainvillea indoors come winter . As you conceive this plant and where to place it , however , remember its setose foliage and place it where it will protect kids and pets . The plant is drought - tolerant when established , and favors dirt that is equal parts Henry Clay , sand , and silt up . It ’s OK being rootbound , so you wo n’t have to repot bougainvillea often .

15. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

If low-pitched maintenance is appealing , consider any of several varieties ofwitch hazelthat do well in containers . In October or November , this small tree diagram / large shrub produces fragrant flower composed of delicate ribbon - like petals that are typically yellow , but can be light orangish , pink , or red in some cultivar . Most do well in zones 3 to 8 , and prefer full sun , though in very hot climates , they apprise good afternoon shade . Beloved for its medicative properties , beldame hazel is a ho-hum grower and will remain content in its pot for many years . It prefers loamy , well - draining soil that is kept moist .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a elevate bottom , or an in - flat coat plot out back — and pick out the right plants for your soil and area .

Various potted plants