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High stems in tubs have a long tradition in garden design. If you also want to decorate your garden with potted plants in winter, you should use hardy varieties. Here we present some beautiful hardy standard plants in tubs.
In a nutshell
- Grows on half-height trunks
- particularly sensitive to cold due to grafting points
- large selection of hardy high stems
What are high stems?
High stems are medium-high plants with a bushy crown sitting on a half-high, straight trunk. They do not grow naturally, but are refined in nurseries or shaped with scissors over the years. Standard stems are often very susceptible to frost and wind damage at grafting sites. In addition, heat-loving Mediterranean plants such as
- oleander
- olive tree
- fuchsias
- citrus tree
used as a high stem. So that the plants do not freeze to death, they are usually carried into the warmth with difficulty.
Citrus trees are among the most popular tall trunks in pots.
Notice: If potential high-stems do not form a straight trunk, the noble varieties are grafted onto better-growing bases.
Hardy potted plants
However, some tall stems have also adapted to the cold temperatures and frost. These so-called hardy plants can also stand outside in the cold season. Some hardy standard stems are even evergreen and thus provide greenery even in winter. In addition, have the following advantages:
- very easy to care for
- Less work: no moving the tubs inside
- provide food and shelter for garden dwellers
Notice: Depending on the location, location and bucket size, some hardy plants also need additional frost protection, for example in the form of bubble wrap or fleece.
Appropriate Varieties
Hardy plants are quickly associated with conifers. There are also a number of deciduous plants and flowers that keep their blossoms and leaves in winter. Basically, about:
- Azalea (Rhododendron)
- Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
- Weeping copper beech (Fagus sylvatica "Pendula")
- Bay cherry (Prunus laurocerasus)
- witch hazel (witch hazel)
You can now find more beautiful hardy standard stems in our list:
Hardy high stems from A to F
Beals mahonia (Mahonia bealei)
- perennial
- Growth height: 100 cm
- Flowering time: December to March
- Flower color: yellow
- evergreen leaves, additional blue berries in autumn
- Scent of honey
- bee friendly
- Water requirement: medium to high
Blue hibiscus as standard (Hibiscus syriacus, variety 'Blue Bird')
- fresh green leaves
- Flowering time: June to September
- large, trumpet-shaped, blue flowers with dark red central spots
- Water and nutrient supply: medium
Wisteria on stem (Wisteria sinensis)
- perennial
- Growth height: 100 to 120 cm
- Flowering period: May and August
- long blue flower clusters
- bee friendly
- Parts poisonous
- Water requirement: low to medium
- regular pruning required
Buddleia stems with clematis (Buddleija davidii x Clematis)
- Combination of two plants
- lovely scent
- Flowering period: June to October
- Flower color: violet and white
- bee and butterfly friendly
- Water requirement: low to medium
Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
- Growth height: 80 to 100 cm
- Leaves: golden yellow to yellow-green, thread-like, flat-topped, scaly
- evergreen
- spherical growth
Source: Хомелка, Chamaecyparis pisifera у Мінскім батсадзе 16, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fan leaf tree (Ginkgo biloba)
- Leaves: Fan-shaped, firm, golden-yellow autumn colour, deciduous
- no cut necessary
- inconspicuous flower
Hardy potted plants from G to L
Large-flowered magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
- Flowering period: April to September
- Flower color: white
- Leaves: narrow and green
- not all varieties frost-free
Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodora)
- Growth height: 100 cm
- blue-green to grey-blue needles
- reddish brown cones
- high water demand
- frost protection necessary for young plants
Clear stem chimera laburnum (Laburnocytisus adamii)
- perennial
- Growth height: 80 to 100 cm
- Flowering period: May to June
- yellow to pink flower clusters
Standard camellia (Camellia japonica)
- Growth height: 125 to 150 cm
- Flowering time: March to May
- Flower color: red
Hydrangea stems (Hydrangea)
- perennial
- Growth height: 80 cm
- Flowering time: May to September, depending on the variety
- Flower color: depending on the variety, white, blue, pink, red…
- lovely scent
- Water requirement: medium to high
- additional winter protection required
Japanese harlequin willow (Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki')
- perennial
- Growth height: 100 to 125 cm
- Flowering time: March to April
- Flower color: initially white-pink, then greenish-white
- deciduous
- Water requirement: low to medium
- Protection of the root ball necessary, place close to the house wall
Globe acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia “Umbraculifera”)
- perennial
- Growth height: 150 cm
- Leaves: blue-green to light green laurel; barrel throwing
- well tolerated by cuts
- Water requirement: medium to high
Lavender stems (Lavandula)
- Growth height: 30 to 80 cm
- Flowering time: spring to autumn
- Flower color: violet to blue
- intense fragrance
- bee and butterfly friendly
- Water requirement: low
standard from M to R
Almond tree (Prunus triloba)
- Growth height: 120 cm
- dense pink flowers
- green leaves
- plantable all year round
Oleaster (Elaeagnus)
- different sorts
- green leaves
- partly bearing fruit
Rose stem (pink)
- perennial
- different sorts
- Growth height: about 120 cm
- Flowering period: May to October
- Flower colour: depending on the variety, yellow, orange, red…
- rosy scent
- Water requirement: low to medium
Red smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria)
- Flowering period: June to July
- wig-like, reddish infructescence
- Leaves: reddish in color, oval, deciduous
Red-leaved photinia "Little Red Robin" (Photinia fraseri "Little Red Robin")
- perennial
- Growth height: 80 cm
- Flowering time: April/May to June
- Flower color: reddish shoots with white flowers
- Leaves: evergreen
- Water requirement: low to medium
Hardy high stems from S to Z
Slotted maple (Acer palmatum)
- Growth height: 100 to 200 cm
- umbrella-shaped overhanging growth
- Leaves: green, turning orange in autumn
- younger plants not fully hardy
Snowball stems (Viburnum)
- perennial
- Growth height: 100 cm
- Flowering time: April to June
- Flower color: white
- lovely scent
- evergreen
- bee friendly
- Water requirement: low to medium
- Plant parts poisonous
Black Pine (Pinus nigra)
- Growth height: 50 to 90 cm
- Flowering time: April to June
- small cones at the end
- evergreen needles
Holly trunk 'Golden King' (Ilex 'Golden King')
- perennial
- Growth height: about 70 cm
- Flowering time: from May
- Red berries
- gold-green foliage
- evergreen
- Water requirement: medium to high
- Plant parts poisonous
Trumpet Flower (Campsis)
- perennial
- different sorts
- Growth height: 90 to 100 cm
- Flowering time: summer
- trumpet flowers; depending on the variety orange, red,…
- Water requirement.: low to medium
crabapple trunk (Malus)
- Growth height: 110 to 130 cm
- Flowering time: from May
- Flower color: white
- Red fruits
- avoid cutting
Ornamental cherry (Prunus serrulata)
- different sorts
- Flowering time: possible from March, depending on the variety
- Flower color: mostly white to pink
Dwarf blood plum as standard (Prunus cistena)
- Flowering time: May
- small white flowers
- dark red fruits
- about 5 cm long, dark red leaves
- strong pruning recommended after flowering
Dwarf lilac (Syringa meyeri)
- Flowering time: May, second flowering possible in October
- Flower color: light pink
- lovely scent
- Leaves: small, dark green, deciduous
Notice: Hardy tall stems do not necessarily have to be planted in tubs. They can also be planted in the ground as usual. However, the decorative factor is then lower.
frequently asked Questions
Are hardy standard stems also green in winter?That depends on the plant species. Some tall stems, such as boxwood, are also green in winter, while others lose their leaves before then. But they will sprout again in the spring.
How expensive are hardy high stems?This also depends on the variety. Due to the special cultivation, tall stems are generally a little more expensive than other plants. Nevertheless, hardy high stems are available from around 15 euros.
How do I care for hardy high stems in the tub?That is individual. Each plant has its own care requirements. Before you buy, you should therefore deal intensively with the right care, such as the location or the nutrient requirements.