Tall, narrow containers - best type of plant to go in them. Ideas please :)

[afriendcalledfive]

Hi, please will you help me find a type of plant that will tolerate, and look good, in a tall narrow container?

The container is around 15 inches in length and 9 inch diameter, and was thinking a spiky looking plant would look good for the height ?

With the diameter so small, is there a spiky plant that would be happy with the restricted root growth? Happy to divide if need be, if I can find the right plant. The container is grey, so looking for something red, preferably. The container is stone and quite heavy so it needs to stay where it is, mainly sunny aspect. Any ideas very welcome

What about a nice red phormium,or a red cordyline.both would give you the look your after.

Thanks gooner. I'm hoping to buy something today from the garden centre. Are these common enough plants to buy, or do I need to go to a place which specialises in them?

Neither of them are rare plants,any good G/centre should have both,only prob may be getting a red one,but you should be alright.

Yes both of those is a good bet and very readily available. Phormium is slightly tougher frost-wise than cordyline so bear that in mind if you live somewhere cold! In London, for example, either should be fine. In less balmy places, you can wrap a cordyline up in horticultural fleece in the winter, which should be OK unless you live somewhere especially chilly.

Thanks all, I'm back now from the garden centre with:

An Astelia 'red devil'.

I loved the Cordylines and the Phormium 'reds', but even the smallest ones looked a bit too big, and the colours of the Astelia caught my eye too, plus it's a bit more of a controllable height/spread for where I want the container to be.

I do however have an eye on a bigger container for a cordyline '"Can Can...

Good choice,wrap it up in winter if it's really cold.

Thanks goner, I will :)

Gooner, not goner !!