Beautiful Evergreens to Grow in Planters

Discover the boxwood, junipers, pine, and other great varieties that are ideal for growing in movable containers!

 

Container gardening is a versatile way to enjoy plants all around your property. Although most gardeners gravitate towards annuals for these purposes, you can just as easily enjoy evergreens in containers too. In fact, evergreens make excellent container plants, as their lush foliage and malleable shape are perfect for bringing year-round greenery to your landscape wherever it may need it. This article will guide you in choosing the best small evergreen species for your next container garden!     

 

Can I Plant Evergreens in Containers? 

Yes! Although you may not think containers are suitable for something as large as a shrub or a tree, evergreens do quite well in pots as long as you give them the right space and care. In fact, pots and containers are perfect for growing evergreens because you can move them around to different locations in your yard, allowing you to choose where and how you’d like to best enjoy them. Whether you need a touch of greenery here, a topiary element there, or a bit of extra privacy somewhere else, container evergreens allow you to easily update your landscape depending on its current needs. Plus, it allows you to move them indoors or to another appropriate shelter during the winter months. 

 

Elements to Consider When Planting Evergreens in Containers 

Before you start planting your next evergreen container garden, there are three factors you should consider:

• Evergreen Variety: Compact or dwarf evergreen varieties are more suited to growing in containers, as they tend to have slower growth rates and a more manageable size. 

• Soil and Drainage: Use a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for container gardening to help ensure proper water drainage and prevent the roots from waterlogging.

• Sunlight Requirements: Consider the sunlight needs of your chosen evergreen variety, and place your container accordingly. For instance, some evergreens prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade. 

 

Which Evergreen Varieties are Best for Containers in Pennsylvania? 

These are some of our favorite compact and dwarf evergreen varieties that are perfect choices for your next container plant!

 

Boxwood 

Boxwoods are one of our go-to container shrub evergreens, as their dense foliage of round, leathery leaves make them stand out in every season. Ideal for topiary, you can sculpt them into whatever shape you desire. They naturally grow about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, making them perfectly suited for large containers. Just be sure to move them to a semi-shaded area and water them regularly as the temperature starts to drop to avoid winter burn.

 

Arborvitae 

The upright, pyramidal shape of arborvitae makes them attractive container plants perfect for decorating front steps and porches. With their dense, juniper-like foliage, they can be sculpted into different shapes, like cones, pyramids, or columns, and bring a pop of vibrant green freshness to your front door, deck, or anywhere you’d like year-round color in a movable and manageable container. Choose a smaller variety for your container pots and prune them regularly to maintain your desired shape and size.  Some varieties tolerate partial shade, though arborvitaes generally need around six hours of sun daily. They thrive with moist but not soggy soil. 

 

Dwarf Blue Spruce

The short, stiff needles of the blue spruce make them an excellent contrasting element next to the other container evergreen varieties, both in color and texture. The ethereal blue needles bring a refreshingly cool splash of color to your yard during the summer and nourish the eyes during the winter. Some varieties are conical, while others grow into an appealing globe with annual pruning. They are low-maintenance with low water needs, and they thrive in full sun conditions. 

 

Juniper 

When it comes to container evergreens, you can’t go wrong with a juniper variety. They offer a full range of aesthetic possibilities, with color palettes ranging from chartreuse to blue and growth habits that vary from creeping to rounded and conical. Whichever variety you choose, all junipers possess their signature low-maintenance hardiness and famed rugged, sweet-smelling beauty. Maintenance requirements will vary slightly depending on the variety you go with, but junipers generally thrive with full sun and have low water needs. 

 

Yews and Plum Yews

Yews are another attractive group of shrubs that grow well in containers. Their more flexible leaves give them a softer texture, and their horizontal growing habit gives them a look that’s somewhere between a juniper and a spruce. Like boxwoods, they can also be pruned to form beautifully sculpted topiary shapes. Yews can tolerate both full sun and partial shade, and although they are drought-tolerant, they do benefit from regular watering. Protect them from wind and direct sunlight in the winter to avoid winter burn. 

 

Dwarf Mugo Pine 

With their long needles and rich green color, dwarf mugo pines are another container garden gem. A naturally slow-growing plant, they’ll grow into a rounded mound with their characteristic dense pine needles. Besides the attractive yellow candles they send up in the late spring, they also feature an invigorating pine scent. They enjoy a spot with full sun, well-draining soil, and moderate watering approximately once per week.  

 

To see our full selection of evergreens and containers, feel free to visit our Garden Center in Glenside, PA!