The evolution of trends in the garden tends to the gigantic size of the containers. Square, conical, rectangular but always slender, tall pots bring a decorative note to the garden.
Contents
9 plants to be planted in a tall pot
1. Citrus tree
Colorful, fragrant and very decorative, citrus fruits, especially the small fruit varieties, are the easiest to grow and maintain. These trees are perfectly adapted to cultivation in the open ground, in regions with a mild climate, and in pots, in other regions. Lemon tree, kumquat, calamondin (apartment orange tree), mandarin tree etc. make gardeners dream and appear more and more often on city balconies as well as in sunny gardens.
2. Edible Fig Tree
The edible fig tree is a particularly popular tree for interior decoration. Its dense green foliage and abundant fruit only embellish the space where the tree is installed. Easy to grow and maintain, the fig tree needs little care to feel comfortable.
What’s more, its very long life span makes it an excellent choice for gardeners who are attached to their plants. On the planting side, it is preferable to plant the fig tree from shoots, because otherwise one risks growing a tree producing inedible fruit.
3. Japanese acers
Emblematic tree of the Japanese garden, the Japanese maple leaves us all speechless with its immense variety of shapes and colors. Perfect to decorate gardens, terraces and balconies, these noble and super decorative trees are easy to grow and adapt to most garden styles. If you would like to learn all the details about the most interesting species and get advice on planting and maintenance, we invite you to read our article about growing one of the most beautiful and decorative trees.
4. Olive tree
Symbol of peace, strength and eternity, the olive tree is an ideal potted tree in the garden, on the terrace or on the balcony. If you wish to cultivate the noble olive tree in a pot, you should know that it has very few needs to feel at ease and to have a very long life span. The growth of the olive tree is rather slow (about 4 to 6 inches per year). For the roots to develop easily, it is necessary to reserve a sufficiently large container for it. Its cultivation requires a lot of sunshine and regular moderate watering.
5. Jerusalem Thorn (Parkinsonia aculeata)
The Jerusalem thorn is a small ornamental tree that tends to be planted in parks and gardens. The tree has a port that spreads out in the shape of a drooping parasol that is adorned with numerous racemes hanging from small yellow flowers. The Jerusalem thorn blooms for an extended period, from spring to summer.
Initially, the tree has a rapid growth that slows down later. For it to thrive, it requires a location in full sunlight with low humidity. It likes well-drained soils and can withstand dry conditions. Shrub species are perfect as ornamental plants and are usually planted in hedges or pots.
6. Privet (Ligustrum)
The privet is generally used to form quickset hedges but can also accentuate clumps, if planted in the background. This shrub can reach up to 4 meters in height and forms an excellent natural privacy screen where planted. Its growth habit is graceful and offers a superb shiny dark green foliage. The privet is very hardy and is resistant to most diseases and pests. It should be planted in autumn, either in the sun or in mid-shade.
7. Large-flowered Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Particularly prized for its decorative flowers, Magnolia grandiflora is cultivated just about everywhere. Over time, its pyramidal habit can reach up to 60 ft in height. The summer magnolia is a hardy tree that still appreciates mild and humid climates. It prefers acidic, cool and light soils.
In addition to exhaling a delicious perfume, its large white flowers offer a true spectacle that can last throughout the summer. Experienced raised bed growers advise to add ripe compost at the beginning of spring to maintain the humus level of the soil.
8. Noble laurel (Laurus nobilis)
The noble laurel is a small tree that lends itself very well to pot cultivation. In hedge, topiary or isolated subject, the laurel benefits from a dense evergreen foliage, giving off a marked smell. It is easy to grow and can be harvested all year round.
Concerning the plantation, one can either sow seeds directly in the ground or replant plants bought in containers. The shrub can reach up to 4 ft high. It prefers well-drained and fertile soils but can tolerate any type of soil.
9. Witch Hazel (Witch Hazel)
To be precise, the witch hazel is a shrub, not a tree. Much sought after for the beauty of its flowers and their delicious scent, the shrub is generally planted in large grounds and parks or on the edge in small gardens.
It can reach from 6 to 12 ft in height and never leaves unnoticed thanks to its tufts of yellow, red and orange flowers and the colors of its copper, yellow-orange and red leaves. The witch hazel tree tolerates the cold very well.
What to put in a tall pot?
We can imagine ourselves perfectly decorating our home, too, with this giant banana tree, which is devilishly aesthetic. A green setting indoors, a gift of volume to our outside… Giant cacti and shrubs are in the wind!
Thanks to the large plants, we offer ourselves at the same time a product serving our decoration but also our well-being. Indeed, the benefits of plants are no longer to be proven! And when they are impressive and majestic, it is all the more appreciable.
Thus, the giant cacti decorate the medinas of Marrakech, and we are surprised to want to offer them to bring sunshine or a change of scenery. The banana trees are a great success and the ficus gradually regain their letters of nobility. All this, without forgetting the palm tree, a true classic of shrubs to have.
Which shape to choose for your tall pot?
Its shape and by extension, its morphology, depend on that of your plant. Indeed, tall and fine plants will prefer very tall and narrow pots. On the contrary, plants not very high but very bushy, will need a low height but a large diameter or circumference! Therefore, the square planter is a preferred option.
Keep in mind that the shape of your planter or flowerpot must be consistent with the shape of the plants that will be planted in it. Especially when it comes to very large plants. Central elements, they will be in the center of the field of vision, for your greatest pleasure.
How to choose the size of your tall flowerpot?
The choice of the size of your large flowerpot is not insignificant. Indeed, it conditions the well being of your plant and guarantees its good development. Thus, a too small pot will prevent it from growing and, a contrario, a too big pot would contravene its well being.
Traditionally and in an easy way, the ideal size of a flowerpot is calculated according to the size of your plant. Thus, it is necessary that the container measures ⅓ of the total length of the shrub and its pot.
Then, another important point to address is that of repotting. This one intervenes, ideally, in spring. How much larger should the pot be? For a slow-growing plant, the diameter may be similar, or 1 inch larger than the base. On the other hand, for plants with strong growth, it will be necessary to repot them in a pot with a diameter higher of 2 inches. Between the two, 1 inch more is ideal.
Large containers like so many sculptures
Present not only in decoration stores but also in DIY stores and garden centers where they occupy an increasingly important space, tall pots are on the rise.
Made of zinc, PVC, iron or even ceramic, these unusual containers allow for all sorts of extravagances in the garden and on the terrace.
With a very contemporary style, they structure the garden like real sculptures. They allow you to compose contrasting scenes, to create surprise but also to delimit certain areas of the garden.
Summary
If you don’t have a garden, the tall flowerpot is a good alternative to plant your balcony or terrace. Provide containers adapted to the plants you will choose.
The size of these will determine the size of the raised beds. By following these simple tips, your plants will remain healthy for many years and will sublimate your exterior.
