Arbutus: Arbutus 'Marina' in a container?

Discussion in 'Ericaceae (rhododendrons, arbutus, etc.)' started by girlndocs, Mar 3, 2006.

  1. girlndocs

    girlndocs Member

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    Hi,

    I have a 25-30gal concrete tub with excellent drainage and my original plan was to try planting A menziesii in it, as it's native to my area and I love it but have no room in the ground for it. I was hoping that planting it in a tub would keep it small(ish).

    Apparently that's not a workable plan, and I am wondering if I could do it with A. Marina instead. Is it worth a try? I've had trouble finding information on the subject.

    I know A. unedo is a good candidate for containers but I don't like it -- it looks much more cultivated and less graceful than either menziesii or Marina.

    thanks,

    Kristin
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    All of these will eventually outgrow a pot that size, except perhaps a dwarf cultivar like Arbutus unedo 'Elfin King'. An A. 'Marina' in California was over 46 feet high in 1994.
     
  3. girlndocs

    girlndocs Member

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    How long is "eventually"? I understand Arbutus is hard to transplant, would this mean it wouldn't survive being moved from the container to open ground?

    Thanks,

    Kristin
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    At some point the pot will become too small. Then you have to do something with a tree that now has a 30 gallon rootball and proportionately sized top. If you can handle that then you don't have a problem. If you have no way of dealing with it then probably better not to create the situation in the first place.
     
  5. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Why not try one of the Arctostaphylos species instead? - much smaller, slower-growing, and more drought-tolerant too which can be important in a tub
     
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Last edited: Mar 5, 2006

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