There’s something to be said for planting a pot once and letting it get better with age.
If you want something a little more permanent than seasonal planting, shrubs are a brilliant choice for larger pots. Many drought tolerant varieties cope well with hot, sunny positions once established, while adding structure, foliage and colour throughout the year.
If you’re looking for smaller plants and flowering favourites, you can also read our guide to drought tolerant plants for terracotta pots.
Here are a few shrubs I think work particularly well in pots.
Cistus – Rock Rose
Cistus is an excellent choice for a hot, sunny position. These evergreen shrubs produce delicate, paper-like flowers through summer and naturally thrive in dry, free-draining conditions. Their compact shape makes them particularly well suited to pots, while their Mediterranean character looks right at home in terracotta.
Ceanothus – Californian Lilac
Ceanothus is best known for its striking blue flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer. Once established, it copes well with dry conditions and prefers a sunny, sheltered spot with good drainage. Choose a compact variety if you plan to keep it in a container long term.
Phlomis – Jerusalem Sage
Phlomis brings plenty of character to a pot, with soft grey-green foliage and distinctive tiers of yellow flowers. It is evergreen, drought tolerant and enjoys full sun, making it a strong choice for a warm patio or courtyard. Its architectural shape also means it works particularly well planted alone in a larger container.
Pittosporum
Pittosporum is a useful option if you want year-round structure rather than lots of flowers. Compact varieties have attractive evergreen foliage and can be lightly clipped to keep a neat shape. Once established they are fairly drought tolerant and work well in pots where you want something smart, simple and long lasting.
Olearia – New Zealand Daisy Bush
Olearia is another evergreen shrub with a slightly more unusual look. Many varieties have silvery-green foliage followed by small daisy-like flowers, giving plenty of interest without feeling overly formal. Smaller varieties are well suited to containers and cope well with sunny, drier conditions once established.
Coronilla
Coronilla is a lovely choice if you want both evergreen foliage and fragrance. Compact varieties produce delicate yellow, pea-like flowers and enjoy a sunny, sheltered position. Once established they are reasonably drought tolerant, making them a good option for a pot that needs to look good across more than one season.
Choosing the Right Pot
A shrub is likely to stay in its container for several years, so it is worth choosing a pot with enough room for the roots to establish and the plant to mature.
Our Donatello Classic Italian Terracotta Planters work particularly well for larger shrubs, while our wider terracotta pot collection includes plenty of options for different planting styles and spaces.
Good drainage is essential, and although these shrubs are drought tolerant, newly planted specimens will still need regular watering while they establish. During prolonged hot weather, even established shrubs in pots may need an occasional thorough soak.
With the right shrub and a generously sized terracotta pot, you can create a display that becomes better with age and needs far less seasonal replanting.
