can Lilly pilly's be grown in pots ?? I need something to grow in a pot that will provide privacy on /near my porch
Hi @tisme,
You can certainly grow a Lilly pilly in a pot. Just be aware that you can't grow a large screening plant in a small confining pot. So, if you're looking for some significant screening, I suggest starting in a larger pot like the Northcote Pottery 80cm Grey Precinct Lite Trough, Tuscan Path 54cm White Harper Egg Pot or RESPECT 70cm Dark Grey Green Earth Tall Square Planter. The tall planter is a great option, as it has a very small footprint and elevates the plant to a great height for screening purposes. This saves a great deal of growing time before becoming an effective screener.
When not planting in the ground, it's especially important to monitor moisture levels and feed adequately. I'd suggest watering when the top 10cm of soil begins to dry out and applying a complete native fertiliser like Osmocote native.
Here's a handy guide on How to grow and care for a Lilly pilly.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
They can grow in pots, but long term they end up using too much water, so its easier to get them into the ground ( this was what I was told by a local nursery )
That's correct, @tisme; most plants are easier to care for in the ground as they can stretch their roots out and source their own water. That's why I suggest a large pot, as it's easier to care for them than if they were in a small pot.
Are you looking for an alternative to Lilly pilly's, then? What height do you need the plant to grow to? What's the width of the area you need to cover?
Weeping figs perform well in pots and have relatively dense foliage suitable for screening. Although Murraya is typically planted in the ground, it adapts well to potted life. Magnolia little gem would also be a good choice for a potted screening plant.
Have you considered other options like installing posts and trellis and growing Star jasmine? It makes an excellent fast-growing screening climber.
Here's a helpful guide on How to choose a screening plant.
something to grow on the porch for privacy ( in pots ) the area Id like to cover is 223cm high ( from ceiling to floor so we would have to allow for the plant pot ). and 274 wide ,( not necessarily one potted plant on its own 2 potted plants would do
doesnt have tyo be that big just cover the area of two average size doors if that makes sense
Hello @tisme
A potted plant can only grow up to the size the pot allows. If there is no room for the roots to grow the plant essentially stops growing. The roots will reach the edge of the pot wall and begin to turn in sideways and then into itself causing a tangle. Large tall plants have large root infrastructure to hold itself upright. A two-meter-tall plant which is bigger than your average person will probably have a pot that is at least 900mm in diameter otherwise it would fall every time a gust of wind blows by.
If you are after plants that will grow to that height, then you must provide the area for them to grow. One option other than the potted plants is to build a raised garden bed with a trellis at the back that serves as a cover. I've placed an image below to give you an idea of what it could look like. You can create your own trellis pattern, or you can also get the traditional trellis patterns available at the store.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
looking at the raised garden beds, is that the depth that is raised or off the ground raised ?? sorry to sound so duuhh but I am new to all this. and I am in a rental so have to make sure nothing is "fixed "
The raised garden beds that only give one dimension in their description are typically talking about the total height. If you can link me to a specific product you are looking at I can provide further details.
Birdies 800 x 800 x 300mm Heritage Timber Raised Garden Bed - Bunnings Australia
or
Birdies 1200 x 480 x 300mm Heritage Modular Raised Garden Bed Kit - Bunnings Australia
I've sketch up the dimensions of the garden beds you've mentioned. If you have a tape measure handy, you can see for yourself the actual size of the garden bed.
is it possible for these to be put on legs?? to raise them up ( arthritis etc issues )
Those garden beds will be open bottom so they can't be raised up on legs. If you wanted something elevated in that style, you'd be looking at either the Birdies 1200 x 400 x 850mm Heritage Modular Elevated Planter or Birdies 800 x 400 x 850mm Heritage Modular Elevated Planter.
I was wanting to use Lilly Pillys as well to try not only block the green ugly fence but I wanted one to grow high enough (apprx 2-3 meters) to block a bit of rain coming in.Not sure I could get a planter box. Was looking at seeing if I could get a long one to plant a few but realise it would have to be pretty wide to not fall over with a tall Lilly Pilly. I marked in red on one photo where Id like the height to be but then can be smaller as move away from deck
Maybe one Lilly Pilly and then something green or several smaller ones in separate boxes… Im trying to make it look decent and not sure best way. Especiallyas I was hoping to use one long planter box. But also due to slope you can see there is a retaining wall Id have to either build levels up to so I could to about1 meter wide otherwise the retaining wall stops me at about 60cm.Hope this makes sense and love to hear any ides
Hello @tombot1974
Thanks for sharing your question about growing your own Lilly Pilly's. I think it's possible to use just lilly pilly's to cover your Colorbond fence. The great thing about lilly pilly's is that you can trim and control their growth. Therefore, with proper management and trimming you should be able to get the shape you are after without having to mix and match plants. In regards to the planting area, I propose building a raised garden bed, it can be constructed in a staggard manner to copy the slope or in a straight and level way.
Here is a link to ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular raised garden beds
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to build a raised garden bed
If you need further assistance, please let me know.
