Creating a hedge within containers is a fantastic solution for British gardens where space is at a premium, or where the ground conditions are poor. Whether you have a compact urban balcony, a paved courtyard, or simply want to create movable screens on a patio, growing hedging plants in pots offers flexibility and instant impact. It allows you to zone areas, provide privacy from neighbours, and introduce greenery without the commitment of digging trenches.

Choosing the Right Container

The success of your container hedge relies heavily on the pot you choose. The container must be large enough to house the root ball with room for growth, and heavy enough to ensure the wind does not blow your hedge over—a common issue in the UK climate. Stability and drainage are key.

For a sleek, modern aesthetic that complements architectural plants, zinc square planters are a superb option. These durable containers, available in matte black, matte grey, white, matte copper, or gloss black, offer a contemporary edge that contrasts beautifully with lush green foliage.

If you prefer a more organic or traditional texture, up to 60cm wood square planters provide a warm, natural look. Available in natural wood, black, or grey, these fit seamlessly into most garden designs.

For larger hedging plants that require significant root depth and stability, 65cm to 90cm diameter rustic whisky barrels are incredibly robust. Whether you choose faded silver rings, rustic rings, or painted black rings, these barrels add character and are heavy enough to anchor taller screening plants against blustery autumn winds.

Top Hedging Plants for UK Pots

Not all hedging plants thrive in confinement, but many adapt perfectly to life in a planter. Here are some of the best choices for the British landscape, including their flowering and fruiting habits.

1. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

More tolerant of heat and wind than the common Cherry Laurel, the Portuguese Laurel is elegant and easily shaped.

• Why it works: It has dark green leaves on distinctive reddish stems. It is hardy and evergreen.
• Flowers: Small, hawthorn-scented white spikes appear in June.
• Fruits: Small red berries develop, turning black in autumn (harmful if eaten by humans, but loved by birds).

2. Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'

A colourful choice that breaks up the monotony of green walls. It is not as dense as some conifers but offers wonderful movement.

• Why it works: It provides brilliant bright red new growth in spring. It requires a sunny spot to maintain the best colour.
• Flowers: Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in April and May.
• Fruits: Rarely produces fruit in the UK, but occasionally small red berries may form later in the year.

3. Box (Buxus sempervirens)

The quintessential formal hedging plant. While Box Blight is a concern in the UK, keeping them in isolated pots can sometimes help reduce the spread compared to continuous ground hedging.

• Why it works: It is shade tolerant and can be clipped into crisp, architectural shapes.
• Flowers: Very small, pale yellow-green flowers appear in late spring (April/May), though they are largely insignificant visually.
• Fruits: Small seed capsules form in late summer, exploding to release seeds.

4. Yew (Taxus baccata)

The King of British hedges. Yew is native, incredibly hardy, and tolerates deep shade, making it perfect for north-facing patios.

• Why it works: It is slow-growing (less pruning work) and regenerates from old wood.
• Flowers: Male plants produce yellow cones in March/April; female plants have insignificant flowers.
• Fruits: Female plants produce distinctive red fleshy arils (berries) in autumn. Note: All parts of the Yew (except the red flesh of the berry) are highly toxic.

5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

For a low, scented hedge to line a seating area, English Lavender is unbeatable.

• Why it works: It loves the drainage that pots provide. It is drought tolerant once established.
• Flowers: Iconic purple-blue spikes bloom from late June to August.
• Fruits: N/A (grown for flowers and foliage).

How to Grow and Care for Potted Hedges

Soil and Planting

Garden soil is generally too heavy for pots and can become waterlogged. For long-term shrub health in the UK, use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3. This retains nutrients better than multi-purpose compost and provides the weight needed for stability. Ensure your chosen planter has adequate drainage holes. Placing a layer of crocks (broken terracotta) or gravel at the bottom of the planter helps keep drainage holes clear.

Watering

Plants in containers are entirely reliant on you for water. Even in a rainy British summer, the dense canopy of a hedge can act like an umbrella, shedding rain away from the pot's surface. Check the soil regularly. In summer, you may need to water daily. In winter, ensure the pot does not dry out completely, as freeze-drying can damage evergreen roots.

Feeding

Nutrients in pots leach out over time. Apply a general-purpose slow-release granular fertiliser in early spring. For leafy evergreens like Laurel and Photinia, a feed high in nitrogen will encourage lush green growth. Stop feeding in late August so the new growth has time to harden off before the first frosts.

Pruning

Pruning is essential to keep a potted hedge dense.

• Formative Pruning: Carry this out in winter or early spring for deciduous plants, and late spring for evergreens.
• Maintenance Trimming: For Box and Yew, a trim in June and again in late August keeps lines sharp. For flowering hedges, prune immediately after flowering to avoid cutting off next year's buds.

Winter Protection

While the plants mentioned are hardy in the UK, roots in pots are more exposed to frost than those in the ground. In particularly severe winters, or if you are in a cold northern region, it is advisable to raise the pots off the ground using pot feet to prevent waterlogging and freezing. Our wood and whisky barrel planters naturally provide good insulation for roots compared to thinner plastic alternatives.