Tree For Large Pot

[Vagus]

We want to perk up our front garden/drive/outside and I’m going to buy a very, very big pot to grow some kind of small tree in.
I would like the tree to be something like a bay tree..a tallish stem with the leafy bit at the top. I’d also like, if possible, for it to have some colour during the year, maybe berries or flowers, but that’s not essential. The main thing is that it keeps its leaves all year.
I’ve been thinking maybe an olive tree which I can keep trimmed. Or a holly bush/tree trimmed into the shape I’m after, is that possible with a holly?
Any ideas please? Thank you.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Lots of info here

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/trees/for-containers

[woofgang]

I would suggest if your front garden is at all windy, then don't choose anything too tall, especially not with a bare trunk. Even my heavy plants in heavy pots blow over sometimes and they are a devil to stand up as well as getting damaged. Having said that, my camellias do well.

[MargoTester]

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/396668679650097159/
I have a privet tree shaped into a ball in a large terracotta pot which looks good.

[MargoTester]

https://www.yougarden.com/item-p-510186/pair-of-standard-holly-trees-with-gold-planters?&source=PPCYGSGOOG&utm_source=PPCYGSGOOG&;utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuKLYgbXB7gIVwe7tCh2V0wNQEAQYASABEgJhD_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
These look good too

[woofgang]

hmmm the variety isn't named in that ad.....I would want to know what this "new variety" is before I coughed up for it.

[Captain2]

How about an Ilex Cloud tree, similar to this one?

https://www.paramountplants.co.uk/unique-plant/cloud-trees-440/cloud-trees.html

Don't be frightened off by the price of this one! We went to a local nursery (not garden centre) last year and bought a beautiful 5ft tall one for about £150. Looks beautiful when trimmed, is evergreen and very hardy.

[Vagus]

Thanks polly, will have a good browse of that site.
Will take that on board woof although the position of the planter will be right next to the house so being blown over probably wouldn’t be an issue.
Margo, golden privet is one I’m considering, nice and bright against the brick work.
Thank you.

[rowanwitch]

Viburnum tinus is evergreen, carries it's pink buds through the winter, has white
fragrant flowers then sometimes purple berries, it can be grown as a standard, and is tough as old boots.

https://www.yougarden.com/item-p-510191/viburnum-tinus-standard?&source=PPCYGSBING&utm_source=PPCYGSBING&utm_medium=cpc&msclkid=47fdb5c0491d17fdd0a3d5d466e896bc&gclid=47fdb5c0491d17fdd0a3d5d466e896bc&gclsrc=3p.ds

[Vagus]

Thanks captain and Rowan, both of those look like contenders. I do like architectural type plants, I’m not into flowery borders although I do like colour.

[Chipchopper]

Check out Eucriphia good bee magnet.