How best to fix a red robin tree in a plant pot into the ground

Hi all,

Newbie query. Our area is extremely windy. We have front gardens that have no fences throughout the development and so we are planting a red robin tree in front of the window.
We want to keep it in the plant pot long term and not growing into the ground because I don't want problems with tree roots growing into the house foundations, or drain pipes or next door's garden.
I need to fix the plant pot to the ground so that even in severe winds the tree doesn't fall over. What's the best way to do this? Do I just dig a hole and stick the pot in the ground. Could I get problems with roots growing over the top of the pot to the ground in that case? Or are there any better ways or products to do this please.

Thanks, Jonathan

 

Best to put it straight into the ground. Dig a slightly bigger than a pot-sized hole. Tip the shrub from the pot, tease out some of the roots and place it in the hole. Backfill with earth, compost or a bit of both, heel in well and water regularly until well established.

 

If the plan is to keep it in the pot, then just bury the pot leaving the rim an inch or so above ground.
Cant say as I think that is the best idea, watering and feeding will be non stop if you want to keep it looking good.
Personally I dont think you need to worry too much about the roots causing big problems, I assume you will be trimming it which will also mean the roots grow slower.

 

That pot looks too small for a shrub of that size, which will get bigger with time as well. It would be better planted in the ground. I have one of those in a pot and it isn't doing well at all and I'm going to plant it in the ground this year.

 

Agree that you need a bigger pot to hold it down when windy, also seems very close to the house in your picture, in the sense its going to block your view out ?

Do bear in mind that RR grows up to 4 mtrs high, so you will have to continually prune it to keep it in check. Early Spring is the best time to trim it to size and shape, though a light prune in Autumn to remove any really long shoots that might be damaged by the wind.

 

Hi Ricky, we wanted it to partially block the window as people can easily look in from the street.
Thanks for the tips about pruning and thanks to everyone who has commented so far

 

Might seem old fashioned, but net curtains still do a good job , giving privacy while letting light in and allowing you to see out.

 

Thanks Ricky I would have gone for the net curtains or blinds, but the missus wanted a tree so that's what I did.