Potted shrubs are so versatile – they’re quite literally what you make of them: You need to decide what to plant, where to put them and what shape they’ll take. In the end, it’s your decisions that determine their appearance and stature in your garden.
Use concrete or other heavy planters for plants that will grow tall to protect them from tipping in strong winds.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/Doug Dealey
Shrubs are among the plants most amenable to pruning creativity. Most can be trained and trimmed easily to provide a variety of sculptural forms in the garden.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Yvonne Williams
Compared with inground shrubs commonly used to border an open garden or lawn, the typical potted shrub offers a few more options. Varieties that bloom (such as gypsophila) or those that produce berries (like holly or pyracantha) are perfect for moving around to spotlight certain areas during their blooming or fruiting seasons, and then they can be moved again to perform a supporting role – becoming a canvas of texture and solid color to highlight flowers grown in front of them. Similarly, deciduous varieties can light up an area and showcase their fall colors, accenting evergreen shrubs for striking contrast.
You can also group a row of small container shrubs together to define a border or other area of the garden, or use taller varieties, such as bamboo, to create privacy or screen unsightly views. How you use them is completely up to you.
More substantial than perennial flowers but less imposing than trees, container shrubs require a slightly different planting scheme. Healthy shrubs should be transplanted from nursery pots to containers that are a few inches wider and deeper. It’s best to choose species that are slow-growing or naturally dwarfed, and plan to repot them every other year, allowing for a gradual increase in pot size to accommodate root growth. In most climates, shrubs are best planted in spring, although in mild-winter areas they can also be potted in fall or even midwinter to reach their peak in spring and summer.
Concrete, plastic, stone, terra-cotta and wood are all good planter options for container shrubs. If you live in a cold-winter climate, you should use containers that can withstand freezing temperatures, like high-quality wood or thick stone planters, or you can try the newer lightweight containers made from fiberglass or polyethylene. (These are often molded to resemble terra-cotta or concrete, and they can be quite handsome.)
As a planting medium, choose a high-quality potting soil made specifically for container plants. While there are many different types (including lightweight, soil-free potting mixes), when planting container shrubs or trees, it’s a good idea to stick with a soil-based mix. These heavier mixes help anchor the plant’s root system and provide a sturdier base if your container shrub is exposed to high winds. That said, while every plant has its own preferred conditions, most shrubs respond well to sheltered locations that get a fair share of sun but little wind. (Varieties that grow quite tall, such as plumbago and bamboo, perform poorly in windy conditions, so find them a well-sheltered spot.)
In mild climates, trim back your shrubs after they bloom. Severely trim shrubs that are overwintered, and protect them from frost. They’ll develop new, bushy growth the following season.
So are you ready to plant a container shrub (or a few) this season? Gather a large container, filter fabric, pea gravel, a hand trowel, ruler, potting soil and your shrub of choice, then follow the simple planting steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions.
Whether you need a temporary screen or just want to highlight a new area in your garden in a different way, the right potted shrub in the right place can help “contain” that special look you’re going for.
Planting Container Shrubs
Planting Container Shrubs - Step 1
Prevent the pot’s drainage hole from clogging by lining the inside base with porous filter fabric and a layer of pea gravel, 2-3 inches thick.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Planting Container Shrubs - Step 2
Measure the distance from the nursery container’s base to the soil’s surface. Then fill the planter with soil until the remaining space equals the depth of the nursery container.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Planting Container Shrubs - Step 3
Lay the shrub on its side. Slowly roll it as you press and release the sides to loosen the root ball. Hold the trunk or stem at its base, then gently push on the container to free the plant.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Planting Container Shrubs - Step 4
Carefully unwind or cut any encircling roots with a trowel or knife, then score the sides of the root ball.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Planting Container Shrubs - Step 5
With the help of a friend, grasp the root ball and settle the shrub into the new container. Fill around the roots with soil.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Planting Container Shrubs - Step 6
Thoroughly water your shrub and allow it to drain. Add soil if any uneven settling occurs.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
