It is best to use compost that has some loam (soil, not garden soil.) mixed in with it and one that has a good supply of nutrients. The reason for not using garden soil is because you can be adding weeds and even disease if the soil has not been sterilized. Buy ready prepared compost and this has been done.
There is ready prepared compost called ‘John Innes No.2’ that will do well for planting conifers. After the first season you may need to add feed to increase the nutritional make up of the compost. This can be done by adding controlled release fertilizer. This needs to be worked into the top of the compost. Another alternative is to use a more organic fertilizer like fish, blood and bone on the surface of the compost. You should avoid fertilizer touching the lower foliage as this could lead to scorch.
When growing any plants in containers, water is a very important factor. Conifers are no different but a conifer will not show the signs of incorrect watering as fast as other plants. When you see the ends of the foliage going brown it is too late to undo the damage but maybe you can save the plant.
You also do not want to overwater the container as this can be as dangerous as under watering - strike a happy medium. In the Summer you may need to water every day. You should water either at the beginning of the day or later on in the evening, not in the hottest part of the day.
There is no garden, no matter how small, that you cannot find a conifer for. You may need to grow it in a container rather than in the ground, but with many of the modern varieties this is not a problem.
Labels on most garden centre plants give you some cultural information so you can find ones most suitable, or check our extensive list of conifers suitable for planting in containers.
Click here for the full list of conifers suitable for containers >
