Living in the city doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams of a gorgeous garden.
I’ve found that growing shrubs in containers is the perfect solution for urban gardeners like me.
Let me share my favorite picks for small-space greenery!
Best Shrubs for Containers
1. Rose
Roses have always held a special place in my heart. While they require some TLC, planting shrub roses in pots is a wonderful idea. With regular care and maintenance, you’ll be rewarded with stunning blooms that brighten up any space.
2. Rosemary
I love having rosemary in my container garden. This highly aromatic perennial is not only a useful culinary herb but also an ornamental delight with its blue flowers and silvery-green foliage.
3. Lavender
Lavender is my go-to for adding a touch of fragrance to my home and garden. It’s easy to grow and thrives in containers, provided you give it plenty of sunlight.
4. Bougainvillea
The vibrant colors of bougainvillea never fail to put a smile on my face. This beautiful ever-blooming perennial shrub is low maintenance in tropical and subtropical areas. Just remember to place it in full sun and keep the soil dry.
5. Pomegranate
I was thrilled when I discovered that pomegranate is one of the most suitable fruit trees for containers. You can even grow it on a balcony!
6. Gooseberry
If you’re looking for an easy-to-cultivate fruit in containers, gooseberry is an excellent choice. I’ve found it to be relatively fuss-free.
7. Blueberry
Blueberries have become a favorite in my urban container garden. This small, prolific shrub grows up to 1 meter tall and is perfect for pots. Plus, many species flower beautifully in summer.
8. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is undoubtedly one of the most popular flowering shrubs. I’ve found it’s not difficult to grow in pots, and the variety of colors and patterns available is simply stunning.
9. Hydrangea
With their clusters of colorful flowers and big, dramatic leaves, hydrangeas make a statement in any container garden. Just be sure to use a large pot and water regularly.
10. Abutilon (Flowering Maple)
Also known as Indian mallow, Abutilon produces gorgeous hollyhock-like flowers that never fail to impress my garden visitors.
11. Pieris japonica (Andromeda)
Andromeda is an excellent bush for container gardens. With some attention and care, I’ve managed to grow mine up to 2 to 4 feet tall.
12. Anisodontea
This charming South African shrub has become a favorite on my south-facing balcony. It loves full sun and dry soil, making it perfect for hot, sunny spots.
13. Aster
Asters bring a burst of color to my late-summer and fall garden. With both annual and perennial types available in various colors, they’re a versatile choice for containers.
14. Aucuba (Spotted Laurel)
Also called Gold Dust, Aucuba is grown more for its beautiful speckled foliage than its flowers. It’s been a fantastic addition to my shaded container garden areas.
15. Azalea
Azaleas are prolific bloomers that add a pop of color to any space. I’ve found they thrive in containers with moist, acidic soil and partial sun.
16. Brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpet)
The night-fragrant flowers of Brugmansia have made it a must-have in my evening garden. It grows easily in pots and attracts pollinators.
17. Buddleja (Butterfly Bush)
I love watching butterflies flock to my Buddleja. Its abundant flowering panicles come in a range of colors from white to red, pink to purple or blue. I grow a dwarf variety in a large, deep pot.
18. Boxwood
Boxwood is a landscaper favorite for good reason. It’s one of the most adaptable and easy-to-grow shrubs I’ve encountered in my container gardening journey.
19. Calamondin
This bushy citrus stays compact, making it ideal for containers. I make sure it gets plenty of sun to encourage fruiting.
20. Callistemon (Bottle Brush)
The bright red blooms of Callistemon (also available in other colors) are a magnet for pollinators in my garden. It’s been a joy to grow in containers.
21. Camellia
While Camellias require some extra care, their beautiful blooms are worth the effort. I provide them with humus-rich acidic soil and regular maintenance.
22. Cistus (Rock Rose)
This tough, drought-tolerant Mediterranean shrub has been a lifesaver in my busy mom life. It thrives on neglect and is perfect for sunny locations.
23. Lemon
Growing lemons in pots has been a rewarding experience. I make sure to place them in the sunniest, draft-free spot I can find.
24. Cotoneaster
While typically used as ground cover, I’ve successfully grown Cotoneaster in a large container. It spreads beautifully, creating a cascading effect.
25. Daphne
Daphne prefers partial shade in my garden. I keep the soil moist in summer and ensure it gets enough sunlight to encourage blooming.
26. Elaeagnus (Silverberry)
For a tough, drought-tolerant shrub that requires little maintenance, Elaeagnus has been my go-to. It’s even suitable for coastal areas.
27. Escallonia
I love Escallonia for its decorative, fragrant foliage and small tube-shaped flowers. It does well in partial sun in warmer zones and full sun in cooler areas.
28. Forsythia
Dwarf varieties of Forsythia are perfect for my container garden. They’re not fussy about soil but need good drainage and plenty of sunlight.
29. Fuchsia
From summer to fall, Fuchsias decorate my patio with their beautiful bell-shaped flowers in vibrant colors.
30. Gaultheria (Wintergreen)
This low-growing American shrub has been a unique addition to my container garden. It spreads by runners and releases a delightful mint-like fragrance when the foliage is crushed.
31. Gardenia
Gardenias are one of the most fragrant flowers in my garden. They require regular maintenance and do best in acidic soil, but their scent makes it all worthwhile.
32. Gaura
Also known as Bee Blossom or Whirling Butterflies, Gaura attracts butterflies to my garden, creating a magical atmosphere.
33. Holly
Growing Holly in containers requires some care, but I’ve had success with dwarf varieties. They add a classic touch to my winter garden.
34. Lantana
Lantana has been a breeze to grow in my tropical climate. It thrives on neglect and blooms tirelessly throughout the year.
35. Laurus nobilis (Bay Leaf)
Bay Laurel grows well in containers and even as a house plant. It’s been a practical and attractive addition to my herb garden.
36. Viburnum tinus
Viburnum tinus has been excellent for creating a compact, bushy hedge in my container garden. Its pinkish-white flowers are mildly fragrant and bloom in winter.
37. Lilac
The fragrance of lilacs is irresistible. I grow compact, dwarf varieties in deep pots to enjoy their scent in my small space.
38. Magnolia
Magnolias grow slowly, which makes them perfect for long-term container gardening. I chose a dwarf shrub variety for my pots.
39. Lagerstroemia (Crepe Myrtle)
The vibrant, colorful flowers of dwarf Crepe Myrtle varieties have added a tropical touch to my container garden.
40. Pittosporum
Pittosporum’s beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers have made it a standout in my container collection.
41. Peony
The large, often fragrant flowers of peonies, with their single or double petals, bring a touch of luxury to my patio.
42. Potentilla
This beautiful perennial shrub grows 3-5 feet tall in my containers, flowering from mid to late summer through late fall.
43. Carex (Sedge)
Carex has been easy to maintain and looks great on my patio. I keep it in a sunny position in temperate weather and in shade during hotter months.
44. Spiraea
Dwarf varieties of Spiraea have been ideal for my containers. They prefer slightly moist soil to thrive.
45. Skimmia japonica
Skimmia brings warmth and color to my winter garden with its scarlet berries in spring and creamy white fragrant blooms.
46. Clethra (Virginia Sweetspire)
This North American native offers long, fragrant flower tassels in June-July. I grow it in a sheltered pot in partial shade.
47. Physocarpus (Ninebark)
Another North American native, Ninebark displays rich purple leaves and pink blossoms on arching branches in early summer.
48. Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
This low-maintenance shrub has been a delight with its clusters of colorful berries and leathery green foliage.