Miniature evergreen trees are delightful additions to container gardens. Their compact size makes them ideal for growing in pots, window boxes, and planters. Dwarf evergreens provide year-round structure, greenery, and interest through all four seasons
When shopping for mini evergreens, it can be tricky to select the right plants and care for them properly in containers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through choosing, designing with, and caring for tiny evergreen trees perfectly suited for pots.
Benefits of Mini Evergreen Trees for Containers
There are many advantages to using dwarf evergreens in pots:
- Stay green year-round for multi-season interest
- Provide height, structure, and focal points
- Give permanence so pots only need replanting once a year
- Offer varied textures and color contrasts against flowers
- Have attractive shapes like spheres, cones, spirals, and cascades
- Grow slowly and stay compact, fitting small spaces
- Many varieties reach just 1-3 feet tall at maturity
How to Select Dwarf Evergreen Trees for Pots
When shopping for mini evergreen trees look for varieties described as dwarf, miniature compact, slow growing, or low maintenance. Opt for plants hardy 2 zones colder than your region. Consider the mature height and spread. Favor slow growers under 3 feet tall.
Ideal Dwarf Evergreen Trees for Containers
Here are some excellent miniature evergreen trees to try in pots:
- Dwarf Alberta Spruce – Classic conical Christmas tree shape. Grows 1-2 inches per year to 4-6 feet tall. Hardy in zones 2-8.
- Dwarf Hinoki Cypress – Soft, flat, lacy green foliage. Very slow growing to just 3 feet tall. Prefers sun. Zones 4-9.
- Dwarf Mugo Pine – Puffy, domed shape. Grows only 1 foot in 10 years. For zones 3-7.
- Dwarf Arborvitae – Round “Mr. Bowling Ball” stays under 3 feet tall. Zones 3-7.
- Creeping Juniper – “Pancake” grows just 3 inches tall. Perfect spiller for pots. Tolerates zones 3-9.
How to Design with Dwarf Evergreens in Containers
Miniature evergreens can be used in pots and planters in many creative ways:
- Feature one specimen solo as a simple statement.
- Use as a thriller plant for height in a mixed container.
- Plant as a filler around the base of taller plants.
- Allow to spill over the edges of pots.
- Cluster 3-5 together for a mini grove.
- Combine varieties with diverse textures and colors.
- Blend evergreen shapes like spheres, spikes, and mounds.
Caring for Evergreen Trees in Pots
Growing evergreens in containers requires some special care:
- Use a potting mix instead of garden soil for drainage.
- Water 1-2 times per week, year round.
- Apply fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
- Prune back wayward branches to maintain desired shape.
- Protect from harsh winter winds and frost.
- Repot every 2-3 years before becoming rootbound.
Overwintering Evergreen Container Trees
Potted evergreens need protection during cold winters. Follow these tips to help them survive:
- Choose species hardy in colder zones than your region.
- Keep soil slightly moist even when dormant.
- Shelter pots from winter sun and wind exposure.
- Insulate pots by wrapping with bubble wrap or burlap.
- Mulch around pots for insulation from freezing temps.
- If grown in a greenhouse, harden off plants before winter.
Where to Find Miniature Evergreen Trees
You can find a nice selection of dwarf evergreens at:
- Local independent garden centers and nurseries.
- Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
- Online retailers like Nature Hills Nursery and Brighter Blooms.
- Specialty mail-order conifer nurseries.
Search for terms like “dwarf,” “miniature,” “compact,” or “slow growing” to find suitable container varieties. When buying, inspect for good green color and healthy, pliable needles. Avoid plants with brown fronds or excessive needle loss.
More Mini Evergreen Tree Species for Containers
Beyond the recommendations above, here are more fabulous miniature evergreen trees ideal for pots:
Needleleaf Evergreens
- Dwarf blue spruce
- Dwarf Serbian spruce
- Dwarf Scots pine
- Mini Swiss stone pine
- Globe arborvitae
- Sea Urchin juniper
Broadleaf Evergreens
- Dwarf yaupon holly
- Dwarf Burford holly
- Mini boxwood
- Dwarf crape myrtle
- Compact camellia
- Dwarf magnolia
Conifers with Color
- Golden Hinoki cypress
- Golden Irish yew
- Yellow tipped arborvitae
- Blue carpet juniper
- Red Cushion spruce
The Benefits of Miniature Evergreens in Pots
From evergreen spheres to creeping groundcovers, dwarf conifers and broadleafs are a delightful addition to container gardens. They provide year-round structure, color, and greenery. With their slow growth and compact size, mini evergreens are tailor-made for pots. Browse the many options to find charming dwarf specimens that will thrive in your containers for years to come.
Tiny trees, big impact!
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We usually treat evergreen trees as background plants, quietly doing their work offstage where they offer cover and food for wild animals, provide shade, block the wind, or mark a boundary line. Cue the dwarfs! Like the Munchkins in Oz, these small evergreen trees will steal the show!
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PETITTI | Growing Small Trees in Containers for the Patio
FAQ
What is a small evergreen tree that stays small?
Pine – two of the most widely grown Dwarf Evergreens are pines – the Mugo Pine and the Dwarf White Pine. Mugo pine is available in a range of forms, some more dwarf than others, while a popular Tree Form is made from the Dwarf White Pine.
What is the best evergreen for a container?
- Dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo ‘Pumilio’ group)
- Korean blue fir ( Abies koreana – check that it is a dwarf variety)
- Yucca (eg Yucca gloriosa Aureovariegata)
- Phormium (all kinds)
- Fatsia, especially variegated Fatsia japonica ‘Variegata’
Can potted evergreens survive winter?
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Choose hardy evergreens:Select evergreens that are hardy to at least two growing zones colder than your location.
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Provide protection:Wrap the pot in bubble wrap, burlap, or other insulating material to help protect it from extreme cold.
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Elevate the pot:Place the pot on bricks or other raised structure to prevent it from sitting in standing water.
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Protect from wind:Place the pot in a sheltered location to protect it from strong winds, which can dry out the needles.
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Water carefully:Water less frequently in the winter, but don’t let the soil dry out completely.
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Anti-desiccant spray:Apply an anti-desiccant spray to the needles to help them retain moisture.
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Consider moving to a cooler location:If possible, move the potted evergreen to an unheated garage, basement, or other sheltered location.
What are the best low maintenance evergreen plants for pots?
Low-maintenance evergreen plants that would look good in long planters include yucca, coral bells, and bay laurel. Japanese Pieris, Nandina, Lavender, and Rosemary are also excellent choices for long planters due to their attractive foliage and growth habit.
How tall does a dwarf evergreen tree get?
Dwarf globe arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis): While some Thuja occidentalis grow more than forty feet tall, these cultivars only grow between three and five feet tall. These trees grow in a single-trunked pyramidal structure with the same flat pine needles as their larger counterparts.
What are the best evergreen trees for a small front yard?
- Black Dragon Cryptomeria.
- Blue Point Juniper.
- Carolina Sapphire Cypress.
- Colorado Blue Spruce.
- Little Gem Magnolia.
- Oakland Holly.
- Cryptomeria Radicans.
- Emerald Green Arborvitae.