Gone Gardenin’ — Trees and containers make a perfect match

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/07/2017 (3047 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At the moment container gardening is all the rage and most gardens contain at least a few colorful containers; many gardens are composed almost entirely of containers. As with any trend, innovative gardeners invent variations on the theme as they strive to create something out of the ordinary.

Unique monochromatic designs, compositions featuring foliage texture and color, designs exhibiting stunning contrasting colours — a combination of brilliant orange-red and lime green for example, and most recently containers full of unique succulents can all be found in garden centers.

One trend in container design that is not often seen, but which can be very effective in the landscape, is the use of trees in containers. What deters some people from using this design idea is that the plants can be expensive, they do not flower, and the trees must be planted in the ground in the fall another task added to the already long list of fall jobs.

Last year I experimented with this kind of design and I must say I was pleased with the results. I created a container design using small evergreen trees and shrubs.

I had wanted to try such a design for a number of years but last spring I changed the configuration of containers in our double wide interlocking brick driveway. I have always struggled trying to soften this large hardscaped area by adding plants and last year I decided to try a more minimalist approach instead of the usual myriad containers of annuals — I followed my own advice “less is more”!

First I removed a large wooden planter along a retaining wall that had been there for years and was falling apart, replacing it with a classic bistro set consisting of two metal chairs painted black and a table upon which I placed a pair of interesting black figurines. For a shot of colour I placed bright red seating pads on the chairs.

This rather avant-garde look seemed to cry out for containers that were a little less traditional and more reserved in appearance so I decided to try a container of trees and shrubs.

This can be an expensive type of container to plant — although creating a large container of individual potted plants such as begonias is not cheap either.

Luckily I happened upon a sale of small evergreen trees and shrubs and picked up three for a total of just over $25.00; I was ready to begin my experiment! I bought a dwarf Alberta spruce about 40-cm tall, a small green Savin creeping juniper called “Youngstown Andorra” and another juniper named “Blue Star” that sported really attractive steel-blue foliage.

I planted the three trees into one of my large containers and added a pair of bird figurines. They were tucked in among the evergreen foliage as if they belonged there and overall, I was quite happy with the arrangement. It suited the reserved mood created by the nearby bistro set.

How else might trees be used in containers? I have seen individual trees usually pyramidal junipers or cedars — used in a matching pair of attractive containers and located on either side of a main entrance. These trees are usually bigger than the ones I purchased; I have seen them up to a meter and a half in height.

Usually only one tree is used in each container. If the lower parts of the trees do not cover the soil, crushed rock mulch will create a more pleasing appearance and if a lot of the rock mulch is visible, a decorative object might be added to the design and displayed on the mulch.

Lately I have seen trees that have been trained into various topiary shapes used in this way — a stunning, but expensive option. They do, however, create a unique and eye-catching display

Round shrubs, such as globe cedars, make great container plants. Two large round containers, each with a globe cedar planted in it, make wonderful gate posts for an entranceway to a garden room. Colorful ceramic containers would add color to the design and yet not overwhelm the plants — and have you seen the new fibre containers that look exactly like ceramic ones?

Of course, if you have the facilities to overwinter exotic tropical trees such as banana trees, you will be able to create a lush tropical theme by using such trees in containers in the summer garden. Hibiscus standards are another possibility.

I successfully over wintered my evergreens by heeling them into the garden in a sheltered spot. The dwarf Alberta spruce has a slight bit of browning at its tip but generally the plants survived the winter quite well and I am using them in this year’s garden in the same way I used them last year.

Albert Parsons lives, writes, and gardens in Minnedosa.

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