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Container gardening itself is already a challenge. How much more difficulties will a gardener have to face with tree container gardening? Trees are supposed to have the most unlimited space we can get them, a space where they can grow and establish their root systems well and spread their branches in the most liberal way possible. But unknown to many, tree container gardening is already a growing fad in gardening. There are now quite a number of tree species that can be grown from plastic, clay, wooden, concrete, or metal containers. Since tree container gardening is usually done to accent a landscape or an outdoor space, choose the best variety of trees you can find.
When choosing the tree variety for tree container gardening, make sure to assess the plant size in relation to the container. Include the root system in your assessment. The amount of space required for tree container gardening is based on the size of the tree during maturity and its expected lifespan. The best trees for tree container gardening should only reach a maximum of 20 feet and shorter trees are better options. A rule of thumb for some gardeners is two gallons of container for every foot of tree height. It is also advisable to use slower growing trees that have slower growing root systems and those that need less water.
For a space that needs tall and thin trees, good species are the juniper and the Italian cypress. For spaces that need rounder trees, the Japanese maple and the hawthorn are excellent choices. For poolside areas, tree container gardening is also possible. Just make sure that roots are contained enough to not hurt the cement or tiles. Good options include the blackbrush or pearl acacia, the Texan mountain laurel, and the palm tree.
So long as there is enough drainage inside the container, tree container gardening is possible. ‘Enough drainage’ means half or three-fourths of an inch hole per square foot of the bottom area. Another thing to consider is a good growth medium. The soil should be fast draining and porous but should have enough water-holding ability to provide the needs of the plant. Good examples are peat moss, sandy loam soil, organic materials, rice hulls, cotton gin waste, and kenaf. A good tree container gardening condition should have the level of growth medium about an inch below the container’s top edge and the top of the root system should be the same level as the growth medium. Make sure that enough fertilizer is frequently added to the soil since frequent watering can drain it.
There are other considerations to think of when planning tree container gardening: your hardiness zone, the type of climate your area has, and a lot others. Consult local growers to know what’s best for you.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about container gardening and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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