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Plant for a fairly large pot help

(54 Posts)
Grandmabatty Sun 12-May-24 09:27:48

I have quite a large pot that I've acquired and it is sitting next to my front door. It will be in full sun for most of the day but it can be windy, so I'm thinking an Acer would curl up and die. Full disclosure: I don't want to have to repot it often/at all as I'm a lazy gardener. Does anyone know of a slow growing plant that would fit the bill?
Full full disclosure: I live in central Scotland. It can be cold but is often wet.

Beechnut Sun 12-May-24 09:32:51

What about a Pieris. I think they must be related to a tortoise 🤣

OldFrill Sun 12-May-24 09:35:45

I second a pieris.
I have an Euonymus japonica bravo on my doorstep (very windy at times) and I can virtually ignore it, although in full sun you'll need to water quite often.

Grandmabatty Sun 12-May-24 09:39:46

Good call on both, thank you. I gave a very large pieris in the back garden so I might steer clear of that, but thanks for the suggestion

kittylester Sun 12-May-24 09:48:57

We have a Christmas Box in a pot by the front door.

The position is quite windy, but it thrives, can be cut back (so doesn't need repotting) and smells fabulous when it is in bloom.

MaizieD Sun 12-May-24 10:03:28

kittylester

We have a Christmas Box in a pot by the front door.

The position is quite windy, but it thrives, can be cut back (so doesn't need repotting) and smells fabulous when it is in bloom.

I have 2 Christmas Box's given to me by a relative who had grown them from cuttings. They flower every year but not a whiff of the fabled glorious scent do they give off 😢 How do you guarantee you have a scented one?

Otherwise that's a lovely idea.

kittylester Sun 12-May-24 10:40:34

Mine was a present too so I am no help at all, Maizie. But, we've had it years and it appears fairly bombproof. It is pretty anyway.

J52 Sun 12-May-24 10:41:40

Not sure about Peiris being slow growing, my potted ones seem to grow pretty quickly. They are a lovely plant. I think the variegated ones are slower growing and have the most beautiful pinkish red new leaves.

Grandmabatty Sun 12-May-24 10:51:18

I thought about a Box. I have never heard of Christmas Box so will Google. I have just picked up a David Austin rose- Desdemona - to put in the pot for now, however I'm happy for all suggestions as the rose can go somewhere else.

Beechnut Sun 12-May-24 11:08:20

My Pieris are variegated J52. Might also be the soil we have. My neighbour has one that while it now looks like a small tree I know it’s taken at least 40 years to get to the height it is now.

shysal Sun 12-May-24 11:55:25

I have just ordered myself another Fatsia Spiders Web because I have been so pleased with the first. They look exotic but are hardy. Mine has been much admired.

shysal Sun 12-May-24 12:00:53

I would advise against an ordinary Box (not Christmas) as they are being devastated by Box Caterpillars these days. Most areas are affected, but not sure about Scotland.

Grandmabatty Sun 12-May-24 12:16:43

Shysal that looks lovely. Thanks for the advice about ordinary box

petra Sun 12-May-24 12:19:34

I love Pieres.
These are 2 of the 5 I have.

Grandmabatty Sun 12-May-24 12:59:34

Those are lovely Petra. Mine have gone over and lost the bright colours.

grandMattie Tue 14-May-24 11:09:56

I love phormium. They have them in various colours; my favourites are the maroon one and the pink one.

Grandmabatty Tue 14-May-24 11:12:48

Phormium would be a good decision GrandMattie. I'll have a look then next time I'm in the garden centre

Bluesmum Tue 14-May-24 11:25:41

What about a spotted Laurel? Such a cheerful plant, brightens up any spot.

Grantanow Tue 14-May-24 11:26:31

Olive tree?

cc Tue 14-May-24 11:44:19

Grandmabatty

I thought about a Box. I have never heard of Christmas Box so will Google. I have just picked up a David Austin rose- Desdemona - to put in the pot for now, however I'm happy for all suggestions as the rose can go somewhere else.

I was going to suggest a rose, David Austin bred roses are often great for pots. They did an article about this recently and Desdemona was recommended, it’s one of my own favourites.
Rather than box you could try Euonymus japonicus 'Microphyllus' which looks similar to the box used for topiary but doesn’t get diseased. My Christmas box is easy to grow and healthy but doesn’t have a scent. Some varieties are much more interesting looking than others.
Another evergreen option could be camellia sasanqua which isn’t very strong hoeing. I’ve had a healthy one in a pot for five year now and it’s worked well. You can get various colours and it flowers in late autumn/winter. I don’t think it would work if you’re east facing as sun would spoil frosty buds. Although it’s ericaceous I use tap water with a splash of acidic feed if it needs watering. Some little ferns have self- seeded under mine in the pot.

cc Tue 14-May-24 11:46:23

Sorry, auto correct turned “growing” to “hoeing”!

grannysue101 Tue 14-May-24 11:58:11

Yes, beware Box. We have had a wonderful one in a large pot for years but suddenly this year it's dying with some sort of blight. I fear they are prone.

Luap Tue 14-May-24 12:09:41

Hi
You could have a Rhodedendron or an Azalea . Check Azaleas evergreen and size when fully grown. Cistus are a good plant for summer again check size when fully grown .

Mynamestaken Tue 14-May-24 12:10:44

Lavender.

knspol Tue 14-May-24 12:23:16

Japanese Holly is a great alternative to Box and is disease resistant. Can get it as a ball shape or pyramid, looks like Box and is slow growing and needs very little care.