Container Trees | Trees in Pots

Choosing a container tree

Container trees add drama to your patio. They’re a fantastic way to introduce colour in the autumn months and some superb early spring scent. It can be hard to narrow down which tree is right for your outside space, so here’s a few handy pointers to set you off in the right direction.

Best container trees for autumn colour

The obvious winner for autumn colour must be the acers. This fantastic, varied group features a lovely mix of leaf shapes with delicate to bold autumn colour. A strong second place for fiery red foliage in autumn is a toona. This eye-catching tree grows with a weeping habit, turning a bright red in autumn that really turns heads. Check out our top ten hardy plants for autumn and selection of autumn colour trees for more inspiration.

Best evergreen trees for pots

One of our favourite evergreen trees for a pot is a lovely conifer. Find classic cigar shaped cypress, bushy cedar or a reliable leylandii to provide year round green cover.

Best trees for shaded containers

A shady container doesn’t have to be a struggle. Simply plant a green leafed acer variety in a pot for a shady spot. Avoid the dark red leaf types which require full sun to mature to a deep colour. A bay laurel makes a good choice for semi shade and the aromatic leaves are a boon for keen cooks.

Low maintenance trees for containers

Evergreen trees make good low maintenance options for a container. Although all trees need a base level of care which includes regular watering through the summer months. A drought tolerant evergreen tree like an Italian cypress is forgiving of the occasional missed watering and looks very stylish.

Trees with strong scent and colour

For scented blooms you can’t go wrong with a Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’. This is a compact version of the stately magnolia, cleverly bred for smaller gardens and perfect for growing in a large pot. The impressive flowers unfurl in late summer and autumn spreading sweet scent. For spring scent, choose a peach! The scented blossom in spring is followed by a harvest of sweet juicy fruits.

Browse our full collection of trees for an even wider choice.