Large selection of hardy trees
In principle, every native tree is suitable for a bucket culture. The millennia-old bonsai culture in Japan proves this. However, you should only use species that do not have a taproot and those that remain small by nature or through breeding. These require significantly less care than large trees, which require a lot of attention when grown in pots. For this reason, give preference to columnar trees, as well as dwarf varieties of common species. Trees that are grafted on poorly growing roots and very slow-growing species are also well suited for container culture. Here are a few well-suited hardy candidates:
- Common yew (Taxus baccata)
- Dwarf pine (Pinus mugo)
- Dwarf white pine (Pinus strobus)
- Dwarf larch (Larix kaempferi)
- Juniper (Juniperus communis)
- False cypress trees (Chamaecyparis)
- Boxwood (Buxus)
- Japanese maple (acer palmatum)
- Japanese cake tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
- Pagoda dogwood (Cornus controversa)
- Willow (Salix), for example the harlequin willow (Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki')
- Dwarf Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba 'Mariken')
- Dwarf fruit trees, e.g. B. apple, pear, cherry
also read
- Which tree also feels good in partial shade?
- Which tree is suitable as a houseplant?
- Felling trees - You also need a permit for trees in your own garden
Properly care for winter hardy trees in pots
Whether your hardy potted tree actually feels good and stays healthy depends primarily on the right care.
Winter protection
This includes, for example, winter protection, which is also essential for hardy potted trees. The reason for this is the small amount of substrate in the pot, which does not protect the roots from freezing. Therefore, you should take these protective measures during the winter months:
- Place the pot on an insulating base made of styrofoam or wood
- Wrap the pot with fleece or insulating foil
- Cover the root area with fir or spruce branches / straw or similar
- Move the pot up to the wall of a house
Watering and fertilizing
Depending on the type and variety of the potted tree, fertilizing should be stopped in July or August at the latest. So new shoots have the chance to mature in time for winter. From August onwards, reduce the watering amount in slow steps so that the tree is only watered a little in the winter months - but don't forget the water, because the plant is thirsty in winter too!
Tips
In the case of potted trees for the balcony, it is best to first inquire about the statics of the balcony and how much weight it can carry - especially large trees can be extremely heavy with the soil and planter.
