Category: Growing Trees And Shrubs in Containers

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the small shrub of Dorycnium (Lotus) in containers. Dorycnium is a synonym of Lotus, a flowering plant in the Fabaceae (Legume) family. There are only 3 species known to exist- Lotus hirsutus (Dorycnium hirsutum), Lotus dorycnium (Dorycnium pentaphyllium) the prostrate canary clover, and Lotus herbaceus (Dorcynium herbaceum or Darycnium jardinii).

They are, in general, low-growing, silvery shrubs that are native to the Canary Islands. Lotus hirsutus is a semi-evergreen, subshrub that only grows up to 80cm high. It is grown for its attractive foliage, with closely packed leaflets of greyish-green and …

In this article, we will discover how to grow the unfussy shrub of Kerria in containers. Kerria japonica is the only species of Kerria that you will find in this genus. It is actually a member of the Rosaceae (the Rose) family.  In its native growing habitat, it is found in thickets on mountain slopes, making it a highly tough and adaptive plant.

There are several varieties on offer as you will discover later on. The plant gets its name from William Kerr, who introduced the cultivar ‘Pleniflora’ the most popular variety.

It is a 1 to 3m tall shrub …

In this article, we will discover how to grow the beautiful flowering shrub of Kalmia in containers. Kalmia is a small species of evergreen shrub that belong to the Ericaceae (the Erica) family. They are native to North America and Cuba, where they are found growing either in wet, acidic bogs or dry, sandy soils.

Kalmia was named by the famous Botanist Linnaeus to honour his friend Pehr Kalm, who brought it back to the UK in the mid-18th century. The most popular species when not in flower can be easily mistaken for a Rhododendron. The leaves are markedly long …

In this article, we will be discovering how to grow the long spiked flowering shrub of Itea in containers. Itea is a small genus of 10 species of shrub and small trees. The flowers that are produced are normally scented and hence why it has the common name of sweet spire.

The flowers are either borne in racemes as found in Itea ilicifolia or like spikes as in Itea virginica. The plant is natively found in Eastern Asia and one deciduous species comes from North America. They tend to be grown for the long raceme flower but the leaves can …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the unusual but beautiful Indigofera in containers. Indigofera is a very large genus of flowering plants that belongs to the Fabaceae (the Pea) family, where 750 species are known to exist. It is one genus that is found throughout the world in the tropics and sub-tropic regions.

Most of the members of the Indigofera genus tend to be shrubs, whilst others are small trees and herbaceous perennials and annuals. They are known for the pinnate leaves, which are common for most species found in the pea family. The flowers are produced …

In this article, we will discover to grow the lovely shrub of Helianthemum in containers. Helianthemum is divided into either shrubs or perennials and has the common name of Rock Rose, Sun Rose, Rush Rose or Frostweed. They belong to the Cistaceae (Cistus) family, where 110 species are known to exist. They are widely distributed and found throughout the Northern hemisphere, especially around the Mediterranean area. It is a plant that flourishes in sandy soil as long as you provide full sun.

The green leaves are opposite arranged in most species but alternatively arranged along the upper stems. They are …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Hedysarum, a beautiful flowering shrub, in containers. Hedysarum is a large species of annual, perennials and shrubby herbs. It is native to Asia, Europe and North America, where over 200 species are known to exist. The genus is part of the Fabaceae (the pea) family and it is a rarity and not often seen growing in people’s gardens, which is a shame as it tends to be easy to grow and not fussy about which soil it is grown in.

Hedysarum is divided into either herbaceous annuals/perennials or deciduous shrubs. The …

In this article, we will discover how to grow Fothergilla in containers. Fothergilla, which has the common name of witch alder belongs to the family of Hamamelidaceae (the Witch Hazel). It is a small genus of flowering deciduous shrubs of 2 to 4 species. Fothergilla is native to the woodlands and swamps of the Southern United States of America. They are suitable to be grown in containers because they are low-growing shrubs that have a downy habit.

From April to May, bottlebrush-like flower heads appear on terminal spikes. The flowers are produced without petals but instead are clusters of 2 …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow the unusual and rare shrub of Fabiana in containers. Fabiana is a relatively large genus of flowering shrubs that belong to the Solanaceae (the nightshade) family, where experts disagree on how many species exist. Some will say 15, whilst others say 36, it is hard to be certain if the experts cannot agree. A lot more research is needed in the group to get a better idea of classification.

The plants are native to the mountainous region of South America, they are evergreen shrubs that look like tall tree heathers (Ericas). …

In this article, we will discuss how to grow Grevillea, the beautiful flowering shrub, in containers. Grevillea is a large genus of 360 species of evergreen flowering plants that belong to the Proteaceae (the Protea) family. The genus contains mainly shrubs and rarely perennials. The flowers of yellow, pink and red arranged in racemes appear above the leaves at the end of branchlets.  The branches have narrow, needle-like green leaves that are arranged alternately along the branches. The flowers are followed by fruits that spilt down one side, releasing one or two seeds.

It has a reputation of not being …