I Have Purchased Two Spiral Dwarf Pine Trees. I Am…
Carol Asked
I have purchased two spiral dwarf pine trees. I am concerned with the winter weather because they are in large patio pots for ornaamental looks on my patio. I need them to survive because I don’t want them planted in the ground. They are three feet tall.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Carol: Keeping evergreens in containers is a common practice and one that can be successful under the right conditions. You will want to make sure the container has drainage holes and ideally you do not want them to be in direct contact with the ground. If the ground freezes, the container will as well and cracking will be more likely, exposing the roots to the in climate weather. Lifting the containers up with pot feet will help promote air circulation under the container making it less likely to freeze. Make sure the container is larger than the root system of the plant so that you can add additional soil to the base and around the plant to help keep it insulated. This is also important so that the roots have room to grow in the future. A thin layer of mulch will also help keep the evergreens insulated as well as give your containers a finished look. Adding a layer of pine cones or cut greens to the base of the plant will have the same effect and be more decorative. I assume your patio is outdoors; if not you will want to reconsider your plan since these evergreens will not be happy indoors. Keep in mind that no plant wants to live its entire life in a container although it is fine to keep them for a few years. As far as watering your plants during the winter they should be fine with the amount of rain and snow we typically receive, but if we do go a couple of weeks with no moisture they will need to be hand watered. Pines are sun lovers so hopefully your patio is south-facing; if not you will want to make sure they are in a space where they will receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight. Do not fertilize during the winter months but as spring approaches they will benefit from some additional nutrients.
