Re: successful planting in containers

I wouldn't think this one is all that hard, as there
are many, many medit climate plants that are evergreen
and 3/4 meters size and moderate water use with drip
irrigation for screening purposes.  Oleander, off the
bat would work well, Hakea suaveolens, Xylosma
congestum compacta, Dodonaea viscosa purpurea,
Osmanthus fragrans or O. heterophyllus, Agave
americana, Aloe arborescens,
Abelia, Bougainvilleas, Callistemon citrinus,
Chamaerops humilis, Choisya ternata, Eleagnus,
Escallonia, Euphorbia mellifera, Feijoa
sellowiana(although this one does have fruit, it
doesn't stain), Grevilleas, Grewia caffra,
Leptospermum scoparium, Melaleucas,  Myrsine africana,
Myrtus communis, Phormiums, Rhaphiolepis, Tecomaria
capensis, Teucrium fruticans, just to name a few...

I'd suggest starting with 5 gallon sized plants as
being a good compromise with smaller planting size to
get established more easily, and sufficient size so
that they don't take too long to start screening.  15
gallon size would be more instant.  If you went with
succulents such as the Aloe arborescens, you could
just stick large unrooted cuttings in the ground to
start.

If you still like the idea of bamboo, then
Phyllostachys aurea is the toughest, most drought
tolerant species to use for containers, and its water
use is in line with more drought tolerant shrubs while
still having reasonable appearance.  Of course, if too
drought stressed, it is more golden foliaged than
green...  Mexican Weeping Bamboo, Otatea acuminata v.
aztectorum is a much more beautiful bamboo for an
arching weeping screen, but can't really be considered
drought tolerant, as it looks much better with the
equivalent of lawn watering schedule for best
appearance.


--- Pamela Steele <pamela.steele@re-taste.com> wrote:

> 
> Dear All
> We are having huge difficulty (for over a year now)
> about deciding what
> would be best for a specific area of our garden.(Dry
> Costa Blanca).  On the
> side of our driveway we have seven  1.5 -3x metre x
> 1-2 meter deep rectangle
> white concrete containers (with drainage) which are
> integral to driveway by
> making a wall which is stepped down with slope of
> the driveway. We need to
> screen this area and that is why we had these
> containers put in but I am
> having great difficulty about what we could grow
> successfully.  We will have
> irrigation into each container.
> 
> People on this site have been very kind to give me
> lists of various possibly
> suitable plants over 18 months ago when we were
> deciding to go with this
> idea. But I have not been able to come up with
> something that is
> evergreen,(but not too dense)  can stand pot life,
> not too much water, full
> sun, salt winds, fairly quick growing, growth to
> about 3-4 meters, no berry
> staining.   First we decided on Cupressa arizonica
> but my mind was changed
> because they go brown easily and the specimens I saw
> in the garden centre
> did not look happy.  We then looked at Bamboo...
> ...Phylostachys nigra
> especially but decided against that lovely plant
> because of water needs and
> it could become unhappy quickly and lose its leaves.
> We have now an idea of
> Photinia ( Red Robin) but have been told its not
> wonderful in pots! I am
> really at a loss here and I am wondering if there a
> few robust plants which
> you might know of which would fit the bill.  I would
> also like to know your
> recommendations about the size of the plants which
> should be purchased.
> I am looking forward to your replies.
> Pamela
>
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