How to Plant Shrubs in Containers

Choose a pot that is large enough for the rootball of your plant with extra room for growth, and one that will keep the plant stable in windy conditions.

Make sure the container has plenty of drainage holes and use gravel or pea shingle in the base so that the compost doesn’t get washed out of the holes.

Raise the pot on feet to allow excess water to drain away and prevent waterlogging. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No 3, mixing in about 30-50 percent multi-purpose compost and continuous release fertiliser granules such as Miracle Gro or Gro Sure which will feed the plant throughout the growing season.

Water regularly, ensuring the compost doesn’t dry out but is not wet.

Take particular care over winter when it is easy to forget to water container grown plants.