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Evergreen trees in planters


8 Best Evergreens for Containers

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by Emma Warford

Backyard Gardening Tips and Guide

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If your dreams of growing towering, full evergreens are on hold because of a lack of space – don’t worry! Most evergreen trees grow amazingly well in containers. With their low-maintenance care requirements met, you can enjoy evergreens indoors and out. 

Table of Contents

Tips for Healthy Potted Evergreens 

Get a big enough container – Although evergreens are slow to grow in pots, choosing a large container ensures the tree will be comfortable for many years, and adequate soil is an excellent insulator from varying temperatures.  

Switch up pot placement – Potted evergreens can be vulnerable to wind and freezing, so moving them to a covered area will help them stay healthy in cold conditions.

Insulate your tree’s roots – Potted tree roots need extra protection in winter, so layering the top and sides of your pot with dead leaves or mulch will help combat frigid temperatures if you live in a cold climate. 

Now that you have some tips to keep in mind, read on for the eight best potted evergreens that will add interest to your home or garden all year. 

The 8 Best Evergreens for Containers

1. Boxwood ShrubImage credits: cocoparisienne via Pixabay

These ‘trees’ are shrubs known for pruning into any desired shape. ‘Green Mountain’ or ‘Green Gem’ is the container-friendly varieties you’ll want to consider.

The Boxwood is hardy to USDA Zone 5 and requires big, quick-draining containers for this plant’s shallow, wide-spread roots to be healthiest.

These shrubs are great low-maintenance additions to any landscape. Keep them watered well in their first year.

2. Yew TreeImage credits: Skylar Kang via Pexels

Yew trees are low-maintenance and need little to thrive; this is part of why they do so well in containers. Their growth will be slow once potted, but they can still reach heights of 20 to 30 feet.

Yews are hardy to USDA Zone 4 and need well-draining soil, as they can be susceptible to root rot if the earth is too damp.

You can trim Yews in the summertime, and they can live in either full sun or full shade. Unfortunately, the berries produced by Yew trees are poisonous to pets and people, so bear this in mind if you choose to plant them.

3. Juniper TreeImage credits: Ivan Kovbasniuk via Shutterstock

Juniper trees are an excellent choice for a potted evergreen. There is a wide range of varieties you can choose from, depending on your preference. Whichever type you decide on, these trees don’t require a lot of maintenance and are an attractive addition to your outdoor space.

As with most evergreens, these will be slower to grow when potted. The ‘Skyrocket’ Juniper is hardy to USDA Zone 4, other Junipers are hardy in zones 3 to 9, and most don’t grow more than two feet wide, especially in a pot.

Junipers only need moderate water and well-draining soil and prefer full sun.

4. Pine TreeImage credits: Irina Iriser via Pexels

The Bosnian Pine is an excellent option for a container. These trees are hardy to Zone 4 and grow into a pyramid shape. They are often planted in groups for windbreak and noise absorption or used for landscape accents.

The Bosnian Pine prefers full sun and needs weekly watering. If heat is extreme, it may need more frequent watering.

5. Italian Cypress TreeImage credits: Kameleon007 via Canva

These columnal trees are iconic in the Italian countryside, dotting the landscape with heights up to 70 feet. The size would be considerably less when potted, but they are still a fast-growing tree, averaging 3 feet per year in ideal conditions.

This cypress is hardy in zones 8 through 10 and needs regular watering. Spider mites are a known pest for this tree, so routine inspection will allow you to deal with them if they become a problem.

6. Cotoneaster ShrubImage credits: _Alicja_ via Pixabay

The cotoneaster shrub provides beauty in every season. It produces small red, pink, or white blossoms in the spring, fall brings small red berries, and winter highlights its deep green foliage. It also has a vast range of hardy species in USDA zones 3 through 8, so wherever your climate is, there’s a Cotoneaster that will thrive!

The upright type of Cotoneasters works best in containers, and a great choice is the ‘Emerald Beauty’ variety. Although they cascade, you can trim them into hedge shapes.

These shrubs need full to partial sun, well-draining soil, and regular watering, and they don’t like to be transplanted, so make sure your containers will be suitable for them to grow.

7. Dwarf Conifer TreesImage credits: Jeanettje via Pixabay

Dwarf conifers are slower growing than other conifers, so they’re the best variety for containers. The Dwarf Globe Colorado Blue Spruce is a mound-shaped shrub that will grow to 3 to 5 feet tall over 10 years and is hardy to zone 3.

It has blue/gray needles that are vibrant all year round and needs minimal care. Another great option is the Dwarf Mungo Pine, a round, gumdrop-shaped tree that is hardy in zones 3 through 7.

It takes 10 years to mature and needs moderate water, full sun, or partial shade.

8. Arborvitae TreesImage credits: jdwc5 via Pixabay

The ‘Emerald Green’ Arborvitae is an excellent option for a large container. This Danish cultivar grows in a narrow, columnar shape with dense green foliage and is often used for privacy screens.

It has a beautiful, consistent green color and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. This evergreen is hardy in zones 3 through 8 and needs full sun.

Find Your Favorite Tree and Go From There!

There are tons of options for evergreens that will thrive in containers for years to come! Choosing the right one for you comes down to the climate you live in and your preferred tree style.

Remember that although evergreens are all relatively low-maintenance and easy to care for, potting them requires a bit more watering when they’re new, so they have room to grow!

Let us know in the comments below what trees you’ve planted in pots or whether there’s a great one we didn’t mention here!

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Evergreen Container Plants: Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Looking for a little winter color that you can put near your entryways or on your patios?

Evergreens grow well in containers and can be moved around to fit your needs. When evergreens outgrow their containers, you can repot them in larger pots or plant them in the ground.

Sound too good to be true? We can help get you started. Here are some tips on how to plant evergreens in containers, as well as some suggestions for the best evergreen plants for pots.

What Evergreens Grow Well In Pots?

Containers don’t have to just be a stand for annual color. Containers can provide you with year-round interest, depending on the plants you choose. Evergreens are also a great choice to add color and texture to the winter landscape.

Here are some of our suggestions for the best evergreens for pots:

Best Hardy Evergreen Trees For Pots

No one wants to have containers that need major maintenance. Who has the time for that?

What you want are hardy evergreen plants for pots that don’t require a lot of fuss. Here are some evergreens to consider, that fit your great-looking and low-maintenance demands:

Best Tall Evergreen Trees For Pots

Looking for something that adds some height next to your entryway? Maybe you are looking at some containers to flank your front door, and you would prefer something with a bit of a grand feeling.

Here are some tall evergreen potted plants to consider:

Best Dwarf Evergreens For Pots

Looking for something on the smaller side? There are dwarf evergreens for pots that give you the look you’re after without taking over the space. Here are a few suggestions:

How To Plant Evergreens In Containers

Sure, looking out the window in winter at a drab, snow-covered garden can feel disheartening. Good news: Evergreens grow well in containers and are cold hardy in many environments. Place them in a few spots to ensure you have a little more color in your backyard view.

Here are the main steps for successfully planting evergreen container plants.

  1. Start with the right container. A light-colored container won’t absorb heat as much as darker colors, keeping the soil and roots from overheating. Concrete containers are durable. Wood containers create a natural look and can be stained. Terra cotta and clay containers are porous and provide great drainage.
  2. Choose a pot that is two or three times wider than the root ball of the tree you’ll be planting so your evergreen roots have room to grow. Because their roots do not like to remain wet, make sure the pot has drainage holes. Placing a piece of screen or wire mesh over the hole will help hold the soil in place but still allow the water to drain.
  3. Use top-quality potting soil -- one with a coarse texture and that drains well is a good choice. Fill the container part-way with the soil before placing the plant in the pot.
  4. Place the plant in the pot and add more soil around its base, tamping the soil down as you go.
  5. Depending on the type of evergreen and their preference for sunlight. avoid putting your pot in direct sunlight to keep the soil and roots cooler throughout winter.
  6. Give the evergreen a thorough soaking.

How Long Can You Keep Evergreens In Pots?

Many evergreens are slow-growing, so they can survive in the right container for three years or longer.

Once they get too large for the container, evergreen container plants must be repotted into a larger container or planted in the ground to continue to thrive.

How To Care For Evergreen Trees In Pots

For evergreens, life in containers can be much different than in the ground.

While containers provide great drainage, those evergreens depend on you for nutrients and water. Containers also don’t insulate an evergreen’s roots from winter temperatures the way soil can, so they are more susceptible to temperature changes.

Due to this, choosing evergreens that are hardy to winters colder than what your area experiences isn’t a bad idea. Additionally, you want to make sure you know how to care for evergreen trees in pots.

These maintenance tips will guide you on your way to successful evergreen container plants.

Can Potted Evergreens Survive Winter?

Winter is a harsh season. And that may make you ask yourself, “Can I keep my potted evergreen outside during winter?”

Evergreens in containers can survive outside in winter. By providing proper care and keeping the roots consistently cold -- avoiding repeated freezes and thaws -- you improve your chances of success. Tucking your containers against walls to break up harsh winds can also help.

We would love to help you improve your odds of evergreen container plant survival. Contact your Davey arborist for some more evergreen care tips.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO WINTERIZE AND STORE POTTED FRUIT AND MAPLE TREES OVER WINTER? CHECK OUT THESE STRATEGIES.

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Winter-hardy plants and the specifics of their use in garden design

Winter-hardy plants and the specifics of their use in garden design

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Category: Landscaping
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Winter-hardy trees in pot and tub crops

Evergreen crops are the basis of garden design, because only thanks to them the attractiveness of garden ensembles is preserved in winter, when flower beds are empty, and most green garden inhabitants go “hibernating”, shedding even the most spectacular and long-lasting autumn leaves on the shoots. But the winter garden continues to live not only thanks to plants whose leaves do not lose their attractiveness even in frosts.

Many winter-hardy plants can also be found among tub crops, which, unlike their exotic counterparts, can remain in the garden throughout the year. They color terraces and balconies, enliven empty areas, draw attention to the most advantageous angles and create the effect of fullness. Winter-hardy trees, deciduous and coniferous, make it possible to compensate for miscalculations in the structure of the garden and an insufficient number of evergreen crops in the open field. In winter, they come to the fore, and in the rest of the year they will not be lost thanks to seasonal additions.

Winter-hardy tubers are mini-forms of woody plants for open ground that have fully inherited the frost resistance of their larger counterparts, but can still be content with a minimum of soil. They grow well in large pots, tubs, and even boxes and will serve as the basis for potting gardens for many years to come. All that is needed to complete the decoration of the terrace or balcony is to add seasonal flowers to them, which will emphasize the charm of spring, summer or autumn.

Tree tubs that can winter outdoors are unique accents in any style and size of garden, allowing you to enjoy the full cycle of development from budding and flowering to leafing, fruit development, changing autumn colors and graphic lines where you are most often just spend hours of relaxation - at your favorite furniture, windows, in a corner for solitary minutes.

Caddy winter-hardy trees are rightfully called many-sided: they change their appearance with the change of seasons, transforming almost beyond recognition. And if evergreen crops do not change their appearance so brightly and mostly seasonality is given to them by neighboring flowering crops, then truly amazing metamorphoses can be traced in deciduous trees. Deciduous ones growing in containers have a significant drawback - in winter, trees can only show off with graceful lines of branches and unusual bark colors.

What to grow?

In order to make your collection really complete, it is sure to include evergreen and coniferous crops that show off with a lush crown all year round. They can be both massive and slender, curly or with a transparent through crown, with bizarre straight, drooping or creeping shoots. The choice of coniferous crops will not yield in variety to deciduous ones. The only restrictions are the size of the trees and their level of frost resistance.

All dwarf subspecies of winter-hardy crops for open ground can be grown as winter-hardy tub crops - from ornamental apple trees to medlar, spruce (for example, Serbian), cypress, pine, creeping junipers, mountain ash, viburnum, hazel, quince, plums, etc. d. If your area has mild winters, you can also plant dwarf lilacs, American maple, Weymouth pine, common juniper, profusely flowering weigela, Thunberg barberry, whole-leaved willow. The choice is up to you; after all, a tree in mini-format can be selected almost without restrictions by searching among the cultivar varieties for any plant that is suitable for your site as an open ground crop.

Any can be a seasonal supplement

So, in winter, ivy, winter-green perennials or late autumn flowers, dried panicles, the inflorescences of which look great under the snow, will gladly complement the trees. In spring, pansies, tulips, forget-me-nots, daisies will gladly take place next to tree soloists. In summer, you can use not only the usual flowerbed annuals like balsams, succession, lobularia and lobelia, but also ampelous cultures like petunias, brachycomas and nemesia. In autumn, grasses, colchicum, ivy, Persian cyclamens and heathers are ideal seasonal partners for wintering tub trees.

Planting and care

When planting, lay a strong drainage and choose only containers with a significant drain hole. Trees are rarely transplanted, only when absolutely necessary, limited to replacing only the topsoil. Containers for large plants that will winter in the open must be spacious and made of frost-resistant materials. The walls of the containers should be lined with bubble wrap, drain holes should be covered with fleece. It is better to use expanded clay as a drainage, mix it with the soil mixture in equal proportions in order to stabilize water permeability and strengthen the soil structure. If you plan to plant seasonal flowers directly to the trees in their container, then dig separate pots for them around the stem of the seedling immediately: this way the growth and development of the planted flowers will not interfere with the rooting of the tree.

Winter-hardy tubers require special care. Since the size of the earthy coma is limited by the volume of the container, the plant is completely dependent on watering and fertilizing. The universal rule requires that watering be more frequent, the smaller the tree grows in a pot. But at the same time, the soil should not be constantly wet, it should be allowed to dry out (if the care requirements for individual varieties do not differ from universal ones, of course). At the same time, even if you have planted seasonal crops directly in a tub with a tree (for example, bulbs), then they should always be watered separately. Watering does not stop even in winter, choosing warm sunny days for them. Top dressing is applied not only in the form of long-acting fertilizers, but also every three or four weeks, because the supply of nutrients in an earthy coma is hardly enough for one season.

The main threat to evergreen crops that winter outdoors is a combination of bright sun and dry frost. They are protected from frost cracks and cracks in the bark with straw mats and brushwood, with which the crowns are shaded. Freezing of a coma is not terrible for winter-hardy tubs, but since plants, unlike their counterparts that grow in open ground, are much more vulnerable, measures for additional warming of containers are mandatory. Ceramic vessels, even with frost-resistant materials, are wrapped with bubble wrap. All containers must be raised off the ground with at least wooden stands to prevent the drain from freezing. Shelter with burlap and the use of the method of double vessels with a layer of air or dry foliage are welcome.

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10 plants for year-round containers!

When the air turns cool in autumn, gardeners often discard, propagate or find a home for their outdoor potted plants. Too bad, because most of it is a waste of effort and plants. Many perennials and shrubs can live in a container for several years. By taking advantage of this feature, you can reduce the amount of time and money you spend on your plants. Your containers can be of year-round interest, depending on the plants you choose, and you can bring consistency to your designs.

For a plant, life in a container is very different from life in the open field. Containers can provide excellent drainage, however plants are dependent on water and nutrients. Shrubs and large perennials often remain smaller in a pot, although this depends on the plant, climate, and container. In addition, open ground does not insulate the plant's roots from winter temperatures.

The general rule of thumb for container plants to survive the winter is that the plant should be cold hardy and have a hardiness zone of 3 or 4.

Tips for winterizing plants in containers

Choose a frost-resistant container. Choose a pot with a drain hole at the bottom and made from fiberglass, lead, iron, heavy plastic, or stone. Most terracotta will crack at low temperatures.

Use good potting soil. There are mixtures specifically designed for container use that provide the necessary drainage required by potted plants.

Stop feeding in autumn. If you are using a water soluble fertilizer, stop feeding your plants about six to eight weeks before your first frost date. This will prevent any tender growth that won't survive the winter. Start fertilizing again when the plants resume growth in the spring.

Watering in winter. Water as needed until the soil in the container freezes. Do not water frozen pots because the plants are unable to absorb water.

Repot every few years. While some plants will live longer in a container, repot your plants every three years to be on the safe side.

Container perennials

Through trial and error, we have found many plants that can live in a container year after year.

We've selected the top 10 plants that are not only strong enough to survive, but look great while doing so.

1. Yucca Filamentosa

This yucca pairs with just about anything. Its 4 cm wide, sword-like leaves have thin and dark green margins with curly fibers. Having a prickly architectural form, it grows by 30–90 cm wide with equal spacing. This yucca tolerates some shade but thrives in sunny, dry conditions. In summer, creamy-white, fragrant flowers appear from the center of the plant on stems as high as 180 cm. In late winter, the foliage may become a little flat, but in spring it will revive again. Remove old foliage to keep a neat appearance.

2. Boxwood Evergreen

Planting in a container will keep it within limits. And therefore, the box will have a lower height than under normal conditions.

Place the boxwood away from strong winds in a semi-shady area. If possible, rotate the pot periodically to balance the effect of the light on the plant and avoid developing bare sides.

Boxwood is a slow growing shrub that retains a dark green color throughout the winter. The shrub lends itself well to pruning, and you can give it any shape.

3. Coin Loaf

Coin Loaf is a really reliable container performer. This plant, 12 cm high, lays beautifully on the edge of the pot. Its coin-shaped bright green leaves look good with all neighbors. It loves partial shade but loves water so much that it will do well in a water garden. The loosestrife can take full sun, but you must keep the soil moist.

4. Japanese Pieris

This pest resistant shrub (Pieris japonica) is an excellent container candidate. Although its evergreen foliage is of interest at any time of the year, spring growth on Japanese pieris is particularly impressive, ranging in color from glossy red to salmon pink and even creamy white depending on the variety.

In winter the flower buds are showy, usually deep red with some hints of pink. Thin brushes from 9up to 12 cm of urn-shaped white flowers appear in early spring and are lightly scented. Graceful branches of this shrub naturally cover the edges of pots.

Japanese pieris grows in both full sun and full shade areas. Keep it away from harsh winter winds and strong sun.

5. Thuja Smaragd

Thuja Smaragd (Thuja occidentalis Smaragd) provides excellent year-round interest. Even in winter, it retains its rich green color. The vertical, narrow habit of this variety fits the bill for the vertical accent that many containers need.

The shape and texture of its foliage makes it easy to combine with other plants. Plant this thuja in the sun or in the shade.

6. Bergenia

With their green, glossy, oval leaves, bergenia or bergenia are among the most interesting plants. Bergenia is a strong manufacturer that provides a bold element in container design. The leaves are 20 to 40 cm long and 20 to 32 cm wide, and take on a magnificent burgundy color in autumn. Bergenia blooms in early spring on stems 25 to 30 cm long. Pink flowers resemble hyacinths.

The plant looks better in containers than in flower beds, perhaps because of the excellent drainage. Grow it in full sun or light partial shade.

7. Dogwood Elegantissima

Another shrub that does well in a container is the variegated red-branched dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'). Its leaves have white edges and grayish green centers, and the bright red stems shine in winter, especially if they have an evergreen background.

The variegated leaves of the bush make a beautiful frame for hydrangeas in the ground on both sides. Dogwood's deepest color appears on young stems, so remove older branches in early spring. Place this shrub in full sun. Or in partial shade.

8. Geichera

Geichera are attractive, low-growing perennials that contrast with the tall plants in a container. Their lobed foliage can be showy, often veining silver through green or purple leaves. Geichera are especially suitable for containers because they like well-drained soil and recover easily from winter.

Most geuchera grow into a mound of 24 to 36 cm in diameter and in the summer throw out flower panicles with white, pink or red flowers. First of all, they can grow in full sun. But they can also be in full shade, depending on the variety.

9. Blue Star Juniper

Has a useful color. The low growing 'Blue Star' juniper (Juniperus squamata Blue Star) has densely spaced steel blue needles 0.5 cm long. This color makes the plant stand out in winter. It reaches 90 cm in height and spreads to 90-120, but it grows slowly.

Blue Star works well in containers because it blends easily with most colors.

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