When I visit a mature garden my immediate observation is of the maturity of its framework, and when I leave a mature garden, I tend to spend the following hours thinking about its framework.

The majority of the time, it comes down to the trees.

Trees are incredible. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, store carbon, and release oxygen as a byproduct. They help in stabilising soil and cooling the air, provide excellent food and habitat for wildlife, and aid people’s wellbeing.

Trees do not need to be planted in the ground all the time. If you have limited space, or have plenty of space with design ambitions, then planting a tree in a container is an excellent way forward. It is important to acknowledge though that by planting a tree in a container, we are not planting the tree in its natural environment and as such certain maintenance elements will need to be adhered to.

Know Your Tree

Research is a close friend and to begin I recommend you doing yours. It is much easier than it used to be to gain access to a library of suitable trees, with many tree specialist websites offering a dedicated section of their website to trees in containers.

These websites will also offer a detailed description including some fundamental specifications, such as height and spread over how many years. I was once told that the height and width detailed in a tree’s specification is in relation to it growing in ideal conditions which can rarely be the case. They therefore advised to take some of those specifications with ‘a pinch of salt’. There is some truth to this statement but if trees in containers are a new project for you, then sticking with the tree specifications is a safe bet!

When your tree arrives take a good look at it and inspect to see if you are happy with it. Do remember though that many trees will look very different at different times of the year so be prepared in the season when it arrives.

Planting Up

To plant up a tree you will need:

1. Container (the heavier and stronger, the more stability it will have)
2. Peat-free, soil-based compost for mature plants
3. Slow-release fertiliser
4. Crocks (optional)
5. Bamboo cane for stability

• To begin with, I always place crocks in the bottom of a container and this is because I do not want the soil clogging the drainage hole.
• After doing this, I fill the container to 1/3 full with the required soil-based compost, and add some slow-release fertiliser granules to release nutrients over the year once the nutrients in the soil-based compost have be accessed and used. 
• Take the tree from the pot and gently release some of the roots so that those roots can begin to anchor down in the container as it establishes. Place the tree into the container and check its depth, the base of the tree should be below the rim of the pot by about 5cm and no higher.
• Once in place, start back filling and firming down the soil-based compost as you go. When firming down be careful not to compress too firmly as this can reduce aeration.
• Now take a look at the base of the tree where the trunk widens to the roots. This is called the tree flare or root flare and it is important not to cover this as it needs exposure to the air.
• Finally, stake it for further stability, tying in loosely, and give it good water.
• Containers dry out quickly so keep on top of watering at regular intervals in relation to the season and weather.
• Once that first year is up, those fertiliser granules will have been used up so introduce a liquid feed to top up nutrients in the container.

There you have it, and how incredible will it be: structure in a container which will provide on so many levels, in abundance.

Andy Peasgood is a former Principal Dancer with Scottish Ballet and a keen gardener. His performance career is fast-paced and he finds balance in the garden with particular interests in planting for wildlife.

In his regular column, Andy takes us on the journey of creating ‘A Garden from Scratch’.

Follow more of Andy’s garden on his Instagram feed at @andypeasgood.