LOOKING FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE?

PATIO PLANT GROWER - HELP, PLEASE: I'm looking for a small tree to plant in a large (but not overly heavy) pot on my balcony, preferably Asian with some great color in spring and/or fall. I'm in zone 5. Southern exposure with possibility a few strong winds, and definitely snow, but patio is covered 2nd story apt. balcony. From what I've read, grafted are better than seedlings and cuttings. Any ideas? Or - am I only wishful thinking?

only wishing if you think you can leave it outside all winter here

2_pelo I can't think of anything that would survive zone 5 in a pot. Could you bring this pot in during the winter months?

now if she can bring it in I can recommend a whole bunch of stuff, but for it to stay outdoors I can't think of anything but a pine and then only certains types will survive in containers and survive the freeze

About the only thing that comes to mind is Japanese Maple. Sometimes, it comes down to taking a gamble and trying out a plant is an environment that pushes the boundaries a little bit. I think we've all had a plant at one time or another that thrived in a spot or place it shouldn't logically be happy in, but that's Mother Nature for you.

exactly babeegirl (good to see you again btw) I mean everyone keeps arguing with me that you can't grow passionflowers in the house, well yes you can I currently have 2 growing in the house as well as a clematis and 2 types of jasmine.

and pelo there is never harm in "wishful thinking" if not for it we wouldn't have flight...
so we may not know of anything yet, if your willing to take the risk that it might die then try something you like just outside our zone something normally intended for a zone 6...If I had anything here that fit that bill I would just send it to you as a test for both of us without you possibly loosing cash, but all my plants are tropicals! the only things I could think of would be the 2 banana trees I have here that will survive our winter...I just didn't get them planted in time

Perhaps you should be looking at plants which survive colder climates?
Black Lace Sambucus has dark leaves and grows in the ground here in zone 3, but I doubt that it would survive in a pot even in zone 5.

This plant is as close to Japanese Maple that we in cold climates can get.

This message was edited Sep 28, 2009 4:59 AM

wow that's cold there..

Pelo, potted tress are certainly possible, keeping in mind that your "possibility a few strong winds" will have to be reckoned with as well as the size of the container and the potting medium. The winds will easily desiccate many evergreens if ample moisture is not provided OR if the temps are so cold the tree will stop/slow down the capillary action of pulling up the moisture. Nowadays there are anti-desiccant sprays you can buy (WindPruff or something like that comes to mind) but I've never used them so can't speak from personal experience.

A deciduous tree would be a safer bet and one with an interesting shape or bark would give pleasure to the eye during the Winter months. Harry Lauder's Walking Stick immediately comes to mind and is hardy in your zone in the ground (hardy to zone 4, actually!) so it may be something you could maintain fairly easily in a large pot, being sure to keep the potting medium moist through-out the Winter to keep the roots from freezing. They are also usually grafted, which is something else you mentioned above, so be sure to keep suckers pulled from the root base.

Lastly, for now(!), keep in mind the pot needs to be at least as wide as it is tall, ensuring that the root system will be better protected from freezing. I'd go with a pot that is either frost proof terra cotta or a thick-walled ceramic, staying away from anything plastic. Drainage holes are a given, of course. As I write this I wonder about the weight of these containers on your balcony, too. Pots, soil, tree will all add up. I wonder if a plastic pot, being lighter weight than others, would work if you put it inside a bigger lightweight pot. That would also give you double insulation.

Hope this is helpful! Keep us posted on what you end up doing, I'm sure there are many other interested folks who would benefit from your project, too!

Happy Gardening!
Shoe

Am wondering if one of the newer dwarf fruit trees would work? It's my understanding that containers is one of the targeted growing locations for these creations.

~Sharon

I am in zone 5 and have several perennials in pots that I leave outside during the winter. I can't speak for a tree, though.

But I have found that plastic pots actually hold up better than terra cotta. I think you take the chance of the pot cracking with clay.

That being said, the double wall of insulation is a great idea.

You guys are the greatest! I didn't expect so many replies - and so quickly! I am new to the northern IL area. We moved here last January - from Texas - so we're researching successful northern IL plants. I will surely take all of your comments and use the knowledge and ideas. I may just concentrate on plants and put the small trees to the back burner for now. I'm always game for a challenge, though. Thanks again.

don't think me rude but go back to Texas your not going to like it here and it's a big black hole that sucks you in and wont let you leave!...LOL

... but YOU'RE there, dear Trina !!

But I don't want to be...I wasn't born here I just keep getting dragged back here...my mom's going through a whole bunch of tests right now to see if she has cancer again, I told her if she does and she gives uo in me and dies I was moving away and never coming back....she said well then I better not give up

Just going to add my 2 cents...I have a small japanese maple that I have had in a pot for about 6 years now. It does wonderful in the shady part of the yard. I'm also in Z5 and have had no difficulties with it. AND it looks great in the winter with ice or snow on it. It's 4" tall and easily moved.

As far as fall color goes, you tell me...

cool kwanjin again you have taught me something new

Here it is with ice.

So----I wonder if it would grow here in the ground?
Some year I will try it .

2_Pelo, here is a little info for you

http://gardening.about.com/od/containergardenin1/a/Winter-Pots.htm

http://www.finegardening.com/PlantGuide/PlantFinder.aspx?274=16384&288=64

http://www.gardenwiseonline.ca/gw/plants/2004/01/01/great-plant-picks-pacific-northwest

http://lifeonthebalcony.com/trees-for-small-spaces/

I've read that JM's are fairly easy to start and they go for around 25.00 per 1 foot seedling here at the Farmer's Markets. I wish I had the space or a greenhouse to start some.

Not all JM's are equally tolerant of cold--here's a nice website from someone who specializes in JM's for colder climates--he's got info in his blog on ones that he's found to work well for him (I believe that he is in zone 5) http://www.davidsansjapanesemaples.com/51/

Babeegirl I'm in zone 5a and most JM's do just fine here in the ground...I think there's only a few varieties that would have to be in a pot and taken in doors....but most will survive being in the ground just fine here

But I do understand "space" issues...I am very quickly running out of room!