Callicarpa Profusion

[beeseejay]

I have this shrub in the garden and now OH has decided that she would like one in a pot. I've looked on various sites but none mention it as a pot plant. Any experience of this plant out there? TIA

[woofgang]

its not a houseplant but i have mine in a pot in the garden. if you think about it, that is how they are sold in garden centres and they live and grow in the pots there until they are sold. i love callicarpa, the berries are so vivid

[beeseejay]

Hi - yes I didn't think of it that way. As yours is in a pot did you go for John Innes No.3 or ordinary potting compost?

[woofgang]

no 3 . i never use potting compost in tubs as it makes the tub more likely to blow over and i think the grittiness of no 3 gives better drainage. i always put gel crystals into the soil as i pot as well to make watering easier

[beeseejay]

Thanks a lot. So it's me for the garden centre in the morning. If it isn't a howling gale or raining!

[boxtops]

I don't know that plant - isn't it fabulous?

[woofgang]

yes boxy, its surprising too, the leaves and flowers are noyhing special but the berries......wow!

[Chipchopper]

Some broken crock's in the bottom of the pot will also assist drainage.

Interesting colour of the berries. Do birds eat them in the UK ?

[woofgang]

yes but not like they will clean off ivy or cotoneaster.