11 Best Shrubs for Pots and Containers

Last Updated on October 31, 2021 by Phil

In contrary to what many believe the best shrubs for pots and containers actually come in many different colors.

We’re used to seeing shrubs grown as borders, fences or hedges for privacy. In most cases, when people think of shrubs they think of dense green plants with lots of leaves.

But, that’s not necessarily the case.

As you’ll see below, there are many different shrubs you can choose from. Yes, there are many green foliage shrubs. But, there are also many flowering shrubs that feature all sorts of colors.

When grown in containers you’ll be able to enjoy their beauty while making it easy to move them around if needed.

Best Shrubs for Pots and Containers

Boxwood

Boxwood or the Buxus genus is composed of 70 different species. As such, you have many options to choose from.

Some are small trees while others are large shrubs. While not all can fit into containers, many will easily do so.

They only grow to between 2 to 8 feet. As such, they you can grow them in large containers. Since boxwood grow tightly together as they get thicker, they are easily to prune and care in this environment.

Hydrangeas

Should you prefer big, colorful blooms that grow in bunches and will instantly attract anyone’s attention, this is what you want.

Hydrangeas are popular garden shrubs because of their amazing puffy looking flowers which grow in clusters. This lets you fill a bush or make a border out of them that’ll be the envy of your neighborhood.

The good news is that you can grow them in containers and get a similar effect.

You can choose from blue, green, pink or red just to name a few.

Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush are well known for their ability to attract butterflies. But, they can be a problem when grown in the ground because they’re often invasive in many parts of the country.

As such, one potential solution to this is to keep them in containers. This keeps them from turning into a weed.

By solving this issue, you can now enjoy the beauty of this deciduous shrub. It can grow to between 4 and 12 feet high and is hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9.

Privet

Like boxwood, privet is often grown as hedges or privacy fences because they are easy to shape. The good news is you can grow them in containers and enjoy the same dense, bushy nature that.

You can just as easily trim to shape them into whatever shape you want.

But, be aware that this lovely green shrub is poisonous. Different parts of the plants including its leaves contain glycosides which can cause digestive issues. Thus, it is a good idea to keep kids and pets away from it.

Golden Creeping Jenny

Image from Wikimedia Commons

The golden creeping Jenny is a another lovely yet invasive plant that works well in containers.

It is also called moneywort as its leaves are shaped like coins. It gets the creeping part from the fact that it is a low growing creeper that extends outward while crawling on the ground.

As such, it is often used as ground cover since it has a vigorous growing habit. Many people like to grow it in containers to eliminate it ability to spread, which can make it bothersome to many gardeners.

This makes it perfect for planters as well as pots since you can take advantage of its beautiful foliage.

The plant thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9 where you can keep it outdoors all year long.

Crepe Myrtle

The Crepe Myrtle makes our list of best shrubs for pots and containers because of its beauty. Just one look and it instantly takes your breath away.

it is well-suited for large pots because they allow it to show off is amazing colors and shape.

Do note that depending on where you live, these can grow up to 20 or 30 feet tall. But, they’re much limited when kept in containers which allows you to prevent them from getting bigger.

Daphne

In case you’re looking for an evergreen shrub with a showy exterior, the Daphne shrub may fit your bill.

This is especially the case if you want something with amazing green foliage and blooms that equally stand out.

Daphne have medium sized flowers in that they’re not oversized like hydrangeas. But, they’re likewise not too small that they’re hard to notice.

Add to the fact that they produce many blooms make them stunning to look at.

Daphne are slow growing evergreen shrubs. Thus, you don’t need to repot them every year. They get to between 1 to 5 feet high. But, take up about 7 to 10 years to reach their mature size.

Ferns

Ferns as a group are probably one of the most popular houseplants you’ll see in containers. They’re amazing to look at thanks to the many different species available.

And, they’re likewise very easy to care for.

As long as you give them the few things they want, they’ll be happy. This includes lots of sunlight, humidity and never let them completely dry.

Coral Bells

Coral bells are amazing container shrubs you can use to add color to your patio, garden or front porch. They come in a wide variety of colors including orange, pink, white, red and coral.

They’re fairly short perennials so you don’t need to worry too much about them getting overly large.

Golden Sword

Image from Pinterest

The Golden Sword (Yucca filamentosa) is perefect if you prefer a shrub that stands upright with is less bushy. Its most distinctive features are its tall outward growing green leaves and its amazingly beautiful flower spikes that bloom late in the summer.

Golden sword plants need lots of sunlight. But, it is their ability to last for long periods of lack of water and thrive in poor soil that make them easy to care for.

Azaleas

If color is what you’re looking for, azaleas are an amazing choice. These are beautiful shrubs that produce amazing blooms. You can choose between white, pink, orange and red hues depending on what you need.

Azaleas can grow into thick, bushy plants. As such, you may want to trim them if you want something more compact.

On the other hand, they likewise work very well in larger containers which let you allow them to get denser.