nice hardy tree in a container

My friend has a bit of a problem, he lives in Aberdeen on the north east coast, basically as bitter as it gets in the UK, especially for wind. He has a concrete courtyard and would like a nice container centrepiece tree or shrub that will not grow more than 6 or 7 feet high. Acer perhaps?

What would you suggest as an easy to look after tree or shrub?

Also he wants planters along his walls with climbers in them to disguise and stick above his horrible walls and give privacy from the neighbours. Any ideas? Honeysuckle perhaps?



[ 08. September 2006, 11:20 PM: Message edited by: sawfish ]

 

Acer is a no-no - really doesn't like the wind!!

Climbers - how about fatshedera lizei? http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=fatshedera+lizei&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&sa=N&tab=wi

trees - there's a good one that might do - certainly survives well down here, also on the east coast, but a bit further south, the trachycarpus fortunei
http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/Information/EG/plants/trachycarpus.htm
have alook at what it says here about it....
http://www.architecturalplants.com/plant.html?popup=TFIN

 

Thanks but I forgot to mention he hates palms.

 

Sawfish ... is your friend you?

 

No, I would say if it was me.

Its not like I'm talking about a 'friends' sexually transmitted disease.

 

any more ideas folks?

 

I would be looking to put quite a lot of ferns in there (all sizes as a background to other plants) but don't know how they would do in that environment?

 

If your friend is looking for something striking then there is always Corylus Avellana contorta or corkscrew hazel. The shape is interesting and it has catkins in spring. My book does say that it grows tall but we had one that was about 8' which didn't mind being cut back, though we only did it once as it wasn't a fast grower.

 

I've got one of these in a pot: http://www.crocus.co.uk/wherestart/results/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=150&CategoryID=

It's about 2m and it wont get any bigger in a pot.

It's got amazing colour leaves, especially when they first emerge. When the sun shines through them they glow the brightest red. It's not evergreen but the bark is nice in winter

Mine got a bit scorched in the sun this year. Apart from that it has been very easy to look after. I am amazed the thing is still alive after the neglect I showed it earlier in the year, but it's fine.

 

What would you think of Cornus Controversa Variegata - the wedding cake tree, and then grow a combination of rambling roses (I'd use white - maybe Austins Generous Gardener) and Clematis armandii (white, almond scented, evergreen). Very chic, very modern, while still being gentle. Maybe underplant the tree with some lovely heucheras.

http://www.tonyhowell.co.uk/CornuscontroversaVariegata2064.htm

By the way, I was amazed at the tree photographs on this website - just spectacular! Worth looking at.

 

Just went back to the photo and I really like this courtyard space! I think there is a lot you can do with this. Really makes the imagination run wild. Have fun!

 

Tree-wise - how about the ghost birch? http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&sa=N&resnum=0&q=betula+jacquemontii&tab=wi

There are several cultivars - and they're regularly used around here as feature plants, e.g. on a roundabout.... Spectacular white bark!

 

Should be a lot of Pines that fit thre bill. Not on top form here today but Black Pine, Umbrella (hardiness problem?), or Pinus mugo would suit. Don't do much but look terrific, grow for years in a pot, lovely bark, few pest problems. Think C. controversa is unwise myself. It is difficult to grow in ideal conditions (which don't include pots), and the variegated form won't like wind, and probably won't like roses either. Think ther's a lot more to choose from but I for one need my sleep. Good luck Sawfish

 

I hadn't realized they are difficult Jazid - what's the growing constraint? Neighbours have the most exquisite one I have ever seen (planted 10 or 12 years ago)- and I am wondering what they had to do to prepare the ground for it (could ask them of course, but you're on line). I thought the large pot would give it root control and keep its size smaller - but no? And I hadn't realized about the wind - we do get fast and furious air around here, and I was thinking of replacing a suffering maple with one. Interesting. More info from your experienced hands appreciated now that you are rested up.

 

BTW - the roses were for the walls, not for the tree.