Any ideas for a wildlife friendly cottage garden tree or shrub that would be happy in a big pot.

[CatM1nt]

Tia

By wildlife I'm guessing you mean mostly bees? Buddleia would be a top pick. Also honeysuckle but not sure how well that would do in a pot. If you mean birds I think nothing in a pot - birds need trees to be a decent size to make use of them, much bigger than any pot could sustain. Although there's the berry aspect. I'm not that knowledgeable but hopefully other people know more than I do about the birds and berries bit! I wonder if a rowan would be happy in a pot? Hmm.

Viburnum grow well in large pots and the bees love the flowers, there are several varieties.

Buddleia globosa is a prettier variety, but as bee friendly. I have a topiary flower (privet) in a massive pot. It has been home to a wrens nest this year, so don't discount trees in pots as not bird friendly!

Another vote for buddleia, they are tough as old boots and the wildlife absolutely love them.

Lavender - the less you feed and water it, the happier it gets

Escallonia pink elle. 100%. Bees absolutely love them, it will do well in a pot, is evergreen too.

Dwarf lilac do well in a large pot, they can be bought as a standard (lollipop shape) or as more of a bush. Bees love them and they smell lovely.