Best Trees for Containers

I'm starting a new business and I'd like to have a couple of nice flowering trees in front of my building. It's a concrete lot, so I will have to do all my plants and trees in containers. But I need some ideas for the best trees for concrete containers. They will be in full sun. Zone9.

Why don't you try posting in the Florida Forum. You have a unique situation and a very hot spot for growing container trees.

Dirtygirl...how about some standard Bouganvillia? You probably need something you don't have to water a lot and they will thrive in full sun.

Mine are not as perfect and trimmed as this photo when I first planted them, but they are doing well a year and a half later in the same pot!

I moved them and this is more what they look like now...

How about a big container full of Chinese Fan Palms? Another dry tolerant plant and seems to enjoy Sun.

A year later it's become a nice beast...

Jatropha Multiphida...grows like crazy and is pretty low maintenance...

ooooooops...just noticed you said flowering! Try the bougs! The Jatropha is flowering, but very small blooms.

The jatropha integerrima flowers year round and is well suited for your climate. The flowers are small but there are many, many. I've had one in a container for about 5 years and it is a hummingbird and butterfly magnet.

I can't seem to find a picture of the whole tree but this is what the flowers look like.

That's a good one, ardesia... I need to find something that is at least 4 ft in height to start. I don't have time to start from cuttings or seed.

I have seen them a fairly good size and for a fairly reasonable price in the Ace Hardwares in NE FL. My own tree suffered some cold damage this year (first time in 5 years) and is coming back fine from the roots but I want a large one right away myself and will be looking when I visit my son in FL.

Bougies would be nice too...only thing is the thorns...have to think of the customers.

Have you thought of crepe myrtles? They come in all sizes and colors, and some have really cool trunks

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/52048/

I thought of them, yes... and they are very pretty...but I can't have anything that will drop the flowers or make a mess....I'm opening a car lot... so I don't want to be washin' plant material off cars all day, everyday....and I do NOT want anything tracked into the building. ((sorta cuts my choices, but it's the way it has to be))

Italian Cypres? They dont flower, grow vertically, and are very pretty in large concrete containers. They also dont require alot of care, just a good watering once a week.

Will look into that, cue_chik...thanks.

Holly also, does it grow in FL?

I'm a northerner and don't know too much about them, but what about tropical hibiscus? They are sold in containers here in Chicago. My former landlady had one that she kept outside in the summer and brought in the house for winter. It was very beautiful. You're lucky in your zone you get to have these year round.

I am planning on planting dwarf Banana Trees in large containers... I have some that are about 50 gallons... and plant on using another pot on top ((like a stacker)) but the top pot will have the bottom cut off, so the roots will have PLENTY of room to grow.down into the big pot.

Has anyone else done anything like this?? ((or are ya'll confused?)) **HE HE**

I just sent you some trees, but red jap. maples are seedlings so they are small. The pink flowering japanese flowering cherry will get large like a bradford pear tree but blooms pink with double blooms before putting on leaves. and a Patio peach which will only get about 4-5 ft tall but has full size peaches next year. I have peaches on some 1 ft tall now. They grow great in pots, thus the name PATIO peach. The leaves go long like fingers and turn darker colors in the fall. Georgeous little tree. Tho probably not big enough for your business yet, I think you will love them, if you decide to keep them. Also sent 3 silk trees and they grow fast. Makes a big shade and all are hardy so don't have to take in for winter. I'm in zone 7 and they flourish here. Hope you enjoy and good luck with the business. Mekos

Mekos...thank you in advance for the supply of beauties. I need to definatley need to get some dirt !!! *S* Will be getting some nice big pots to place some of the trees at the lot...gotta be big and heavy so no one carries them away!!!

AGAIN...thanks so much, and please... let me know if you wanna do another trade in the future!!!

Thanks again..

I just appreciate you understanding about me shipping a week late. Helping my sister move was a handfull. I don't EVER want to move anything again. I'm worn out. Just enjoy and let me know how they do for you . If you ever want any more let me know, anything except red Jap. maples. I'm temporarily out of those until next spring. I appreciated your trade. Thanks again. Mekos

hows the red castors doing??? And the Orchid? When should I expect the shippment, mekos?

The post office man said he was trying to get them before or by saturday. I didn't want them to sit in there sunday in the heat but couldnt afford overnight to get there in one day but he said they should be there saturday if nothing goes wrong. I Mittsy mailed priority to me on monday, I sent hers on tuesday and she got hers on friday I got mine monday. Same distance, but she got hers in 3 days mine came in a week.I'm just hoping you get them today.

Forgot to tell you the plants ALL are beautiful. I'm loving them. Thank you very much.

I am at home, so will hear the door bell, and be able to take them out and get them in a resting spot with a drink of water.

Just let me know when they do arrive. I can replace any except the red Jap. Maples, they won't be more until next year. BUT I'm sure after a drink, they should be good and you'll see, they grow pretty fast. My silk tree is beginning to bloom now and it usually has hundreds of butterflys all over it when in full bloom.

THEY ARRIVED AND LOOK FABULOUS!!

Glad you like them. Hope you enjoy them. They should grow well for you and just let me know how they do. I'm excited for you on your new business. Hope it takes off great! D-mail anytime.

Thanks again!!! I picked up some fabulous looking dwarf banana's today from a lady I traded with... and along with that peach tree, I'm going to really be eating healthy at work ((I hope)) *S* Those Silk trees are also going to be a georgous addition to the biz and really get customers attention.

What kind of business did you start, if you don't mind me asking?

we are starting a used car lot

Everyone needs a ride...right?!?!?!

Great business and good timing. So many people lost jobs and cars, and can't afford new ones. Good luck.