garden container sizes

[Lurchers]

Please can anyone tell me how to work out which size of garden containers I will need for various sizes of plants, shrubs and trees

[Hawkwalk]

Not very straight forward as this depends on which type of plants you have and what you want them to do.

If you can be more specific on plants and their current sizes I will be able to help.

[Lurchers]

I want to plant a Cheals weeping cherry, a Kilmarnock willow. Various tall grasses. Azaleas and Rhododendrons. Thank you for your help

[Hawkwalk]

All of your choices are suitable to containerise which is a good start.

The best way to work out what size you need is to first, make sure the container is at least one third larger than the size of the existing pot size so that your plants have something to grow into. You will also want to get the balance right to the size of the top growth so that the pots dont look over-sized compared to the plant.

It is always best to move up the sizes gradually to restrict root growth so that the plants dont get too big. At the same time you will need to make sure they can retain enough water as plants in pots can dry out very quickly. (but also make sure there is good drainage at the bottom of the pots).

For taller plants such as the cherry and the willow, make sure you have a good depth and weight of pot to aid stability.

[LoftyLottie2]

I am told that azaleas and rhododenrons are shallow rooted and need wide shallow containers rather than tall narrow ones.

[tamborine]

Check the root ball and find container to fit.