Trees for pots please!

[Pottedpalm]

DD has just got a property with a smallish garden. It’s very bare, just a small patio and a lawn. Fenced all round.
I have a very large pot ( bargain from Home Sense), and want to plant a tree in it for the patio. It’s a rental so don’t want to plant it out.
I browsed a bit online for suggestions. Many types of Acer came up but I’m a bit wary as I have lost a few in the past due to wind/wet/who knows what?
Is there a more robust variety? Or could you suggest something else? Nice foliage is the priority, and something which looks good for most of the year. It can face north, west or south.
Many thanks.

Pittisporum . Not expensive .Variegated and evergreen .Easy to grow and shape .

that sounds really positive op

just don't get pots that are tapered towards the top or have a large ridge at the top. that will make it impossible to re-pot.

also, if you live in an area where plants get stolen, consider putting holes in the side of the pot and add a long bike chain.

@redcandlelight

that sounds really positive op

just don't get pots that are tapered towards the top or have a large ridge at the top. that will make it impossible to re-pot.

also, if you live in an area where plants get stolen, consider putting holes in the side of the pot and add a long bike chain.

Yes! I have been caught before and had to sacrifice the pot! Should be safe as only access is through the house. My dad had a padlock and chain on his hanging basket 😄

Ooh @WellTidy that Escallonia Pink Elle, looks lovely .I'd love to plant it in a large container situated in the path down to my garden .

But the path is only just over a metre wide so perhaps too narrow?

@peridito mine grew to full size within two seasons, and ha stayed at 1 metre height and spread. I sometimes prune it but it needs very little maintenance. I would really recommend it!

Can I ask about Acers in pots. I’ve got one but I don’t really know how to care for it. Do I water it all year? Am I supposed to feed it? It’s in leaf now but two branches have died so I’m doing something wrong.

@Ladybird69
Is it in a windy spot? The nurseryman I spoke to said that wind was more likely to damage it than anything, which tied in with my experience.
We also have one in the garden which is 2/3 dead and that might ne due to wind as well.

Thanks @Pottedpalm. Yes that sounds like mine, it’s over 10 years old but I’ve recently moved house and it’s at the side of the house now so it most probably needs moving. The pot is soooo heavy though! Do you water yours and feed it?

@Ladybird69 Can I ask about Acers in pots. I’ve got one but I don’t really know how to care for it. Do I water it all year? Am I supposed to feed it? It’s in leaf now but two branches have died so I’m doing something wrong.

Don't water at all when plants are in their dormant period over winter. You can start watering pots when the plants are showing new growth, ie new leaf buds. I would feed a plant in a pot twice during its growing season (in summer not autumn) with a tree & shrub fertiliser from garden centres (but shops like Wilko's might stock some). Plants in pots have a restricted root run and are more likely to suffer from limited water supply and nutrients, which can affect their ability to resist disease as well as slowing their growth. Ideally you should top-dress annually, so scraping off the top layer of compost with any weeds, mosses, etc and replacing with fresh compost. Water often in summer, especially if it's hot and dry.

The dead branches are most likely due to damage, maybe by insects like aphids or scale insects, and disease might have infected them. If you can, prune them off, close to the trunk.

Acers do seem to prefer a sheltered spot in dappled shade or partial sun.

I have lots of trees in pots including an acer. I don’t think you can wrong with a dwarf fruit tree. Cherry ‘Stella’ is excellent.

@Ladybird69

Thanks *@Pottedpalm*. Yes that sounds like mine, it’s over 10 years old but I’ve recently moved house and it’s at the side of the house now so it most probably needs moving. The pot is soooo heavy though! Do you water yours and feed it?

The Noodles explains all! Our remaining one is in the ground. If I cut off the dead branches there will be very little left!

Yes @Pottedpalm The Noodles has given us a lot of info.
@TheNoodlesIncident thanks so much for all the info 😊 I’ll get some feed for her and keep her watered. She’s in a terracotta pot so it doesn’t retain water very well but I’ll cut off the dead branches and see if I can find some strong people that can move her in a more sheltered spot in the garden. I don’t want to lose her. Thanks 💐