Tree / Large shrub for a (large) pot

[yomellamoHelly]

Want to put one on our decking.

Does anyone know of a plant that would thrive in this situation?

most will, have a wide range from chestnuts to bays in our garden in pots.
if you feed and water them, just insure that if the pots going to be top heavy as the plant grows its secured so it does not fall in the wind

Azalea or small rhododendron will have flowers in early spring, and then be green rest of the year. They will need special ericaceous compost, which you can buy, or make:

www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/ericaceous-compost-info.htm

Look at azalea web sites for varieties, colours and suitability.

Acer or Japanese Maple has decorative foliage, often colourful, and good autumn colour. Again, go to specialist sites for varieties. Here's a few to start you off:

www.bigplantnursery.co.uk/japanesemaples.html

It will need a sheltered location, and maybe TLC in the winter.

Something completely different, that you can nurture, and turn into what ever shape and size you want, and will flower profusely, is Fuchsia. They will be expensive to buy a large one, but if looked after, can get bigger every year; will need care through the winter months:

www.fuchsiaflower.co.uk/index.htm

I have rhododendron in mine. I picked them up on the Homebase sale shelf last June when they'd finished flowering and looked rather plain.

Two are compact bushes with pale lilac flowers (supposed to be white!) and one is a mini-tree with bold pink blooms.

I like them as they're quite compact and evergreen. I'm going to remember to fleece them this winter as I don't want to lose any buds.

I buy my ericaceous compost and feed for £2 from Wilko, it has good reviews.

I also have acers but they lose their leaves in the autumn.

Mahonia flowers in winter which is nice

Fig tree? They like to have their roots restricted in a pot.

Yes and if it is a sunny spot you will get lovely fruit!

I have been thinking that fruit trees are so nice because they blossom, have fruit and autumn colour: Morello Cherry? 5 in one apple?

I have a Fatsia on my decking. would a magnolia be ok in a big pot?

A small magnolia stellata would be OK, has more delicate flowers, and more of them, than the large, gaudy magnolias.

Need looking after though, I would guess; right amount of water, feed, maybe mulch, etc.

If I had to have only one tree it would be an Amelanchier. They are covered in white blossom and bronzy red leaves in spring. Their berries are red in July and the birds love them. They are turning amazing autumn colours just now. You can grow them as a tree or a shrub. They're cheap to buy and you can hack them about prune them to shape easily.
RHS site says they can be planted in a large container in John Innes No 3.

I would get a blueberry bush. We have 4, 2 in 2 tubs, and they are really productive. The kids love them, they smell gorgeous in the spring and they attract lots of insects and bugs. The colours of the leaves change throughout the year and finally you get to eat the fruit.

rosemary or the like, good smell and very useful in the kitchen

We have gained a few over the years
We have a photina red robin standard which we got as a wedding present 10 years ago and despite suffering some damage (now recovered) from a snow storm it's still going strong, we also got a Japanese maple which is gorgeous and has also lasted well.
We have a huge Rosemary bush which has done well.

I've got a pieris which is a nice size, good foliage colour in spring. I think it's quite nice to have shrubs in pots which need different soil from the rest of your garden, in this case ericacious.

The only slight issue with this (same would probably apply to rhodedendrons/azaleas) is that I need to make sure I collect rainwater for it.

Can I just ask about your rosemary please, wonky - I've got one in a pot which I've had for quite a few years but it's not really gained in size. OK, so it is by the back door so it does get sprigs cut for cooking quite often, but it doesn't look that vigorous. Wondering if I should try moving it to a bigger pot or start a new one...

they do say that to get the best from herbs you need to stress them as the flavours come from the alkaloids its using for protection. so try and avoid pampering it too much

Errol - is your back door in a really sunny spot? Because this is a plant that likes the heat - it's Mediterranean. It also likes a good bit of grit in the soil.

OP - what are the conditions on your decking? Is it sunny, shady, damp, dry?

It's about as sunny a spot as you can get in Lancashire.

Ha! I'm in Sheffield so I know what you mean!!

I had a rosemary that languished for ages in a pot. I had it in a pot because I thought it would be easier to control conditions - you know, to keep it fiercely drained, warm, light etc. It just sulked. So I got cross with it and dumped it in the soil, in what appeared to me to be a bit of a shadier spot, thinking I might lose it but sick of seeing it whinging at me. And it has thrived.

Sometimes these damn things just don't obey the rules!! If you have some sunny soil, you could pop it out and see... maybe in the spring?

Good idea - and I'll get a new plant for the pot (I do like herbs being by the back door so I can just reach out without putting my shoes on)

we have shaped bay trees by the back door with smaller herbs and chives round the base, its a one stop shop for seasoning