I am often asked 'What can I grow in a pot' and more so at this time of year when many are looking for a living Christmas tree.   The real answer is absolutely anything, provided that one feeds and waters adequately! as there is no give and take in a pot like there is for a plant that is planted in the ground.  LOL lets face it, we have all had the odd plant in a pot that has dried out past the point of no return.  If you think of us at a nursery, well everything is in a pots bags or containers and I have to say that I think that we are pretty good at it after all these years.

I could write screeds about growing plants in containers but the first and most important rule is that you must only ever use top quality potting mix and don't add anything to it to make it go further. Potting mix is scientifically designed to have the correct air and water space and food requirements if it's new, to grow plants in containers. So there is no need for the stones in the bottom of your pots, you won't find any stones in the bottom of our plant bags!

Drainage is also hugely important for growing plants in pots, as the water must come out, so ensure that your container has adequate drainage holes.  Make sure that the plant that you have chosen is central, ( I have always been a bit fussy about that as I can't stand a plant to close to one side).

Don't fill your container to the top with soil when planting, the finished plant must be a relevant depth from the top of the pot, ie the larger the pot the further down from the top. This acts as a reservoir to collect any rain water and if you are hand watering to fill. Pot firmly otherwise your plant may sink down in the pot overtime.

Only ever use slow release fertilisers or ones that are designed to be used in pots. Other instant types are too instant, they go straight into solution when watered and there is no buffer in a pot for the excess fertiliser to go anywhere. This can cause a build up of unwanted salts and cause the roots to be burned. Feed regularly because once a plant shows that its short of food it can take a while for it to green up again so use a slow release and aim to feed around 3 to 4 times a year.

Once your plant has outgrown its pot you may need to increase the size of its next pot or you may need to root prune carefully to fit it back into the same pot.  If you intend to root prune then ensure you plant in a container that allows the plant to be removed without having to damage either container of plant.  Don',t for instance, plant in a container that has a top that turns inward and reduces the opening.

I should qualify my statement and say that certain plants are more suited to being in pots for the average punter as they are more tolerant of (and lets be polite), the odd drying out or missing their watering.

Then of course you have to pick your pot. We have an extensive collection of pots, bowls, troughs and containers for both planting and ornamental pots. You could come here just to go pot hunting.  Make a day of it, take a tiki tour round the garden and enjoy.

Not sure what you want to pot, have a look here for some ideas to get the creative gardener in you inspired to go potty this Christmas.

Just whilst on the Christmas tree front some Pinus patula, that have been trimmed for Christmas shape, arrived in on Friday and there are a few quite tall Pohutukawa that are in bud that would look quite cool for someone's Christmas tree all potted up.

Metrosiderous or Pohutukawa as we all know it as the the typical native version, always fascinated me as they can grow in some pretty harsh conditions.  I'm sure that you have all seen them draped over rocks fully exposed to the sea with their roots showing and still they grow. A pretty good clue that they are going to be a great choice of a plant for a container and many of the varieties are about to flower. It's not called the NZ Christmas tree for nothing.

We were lucky enough to get a delivery of more Magnolias this week as we would usually be waiting till next year for more of these delights.  These are a good quality tree and would make great living gifts for those hard to buy for people on your Xmas shopping list.