Pot based tree or bush

Green with envy Victoria!

 

Keith, there is a sad story behind why I have this tree.

When we moved from the UK in 2001 we brought two white cats with us, brother and sister Skwij and Puschka, who were 10 at the time. We also brought Magic Sam, still with us at 17 this September. Skwij died first at aged 13 and was buried under the Almond Tree and I planted the Cercis in his honor .. we are ex-Catholics and in the non-Catholic society the Judas tree is the Tree of Love.

So, every time the tree blooms I think of Swij ..

 

Camellia needs to be West or North facing (i.e. shielded from morning sun and the East)

I've grown large Camellias in half-oak-barrels, Magnolia should be OK (you could go for a smaller one like Stellata, rather than a socking big Soulangiana. Article about different varieties and pros/cons in this months The Garden magazine.

Magnolia will look drab in the Winter. Magnolia will flower about now, Camellia probably earlier. Camellia needs acid soil (no problem in a pot, but it would be better to water with rainwater if you have hard water)

Other possibilities:

Acer - the small leaved ones are slow growing (unless you plan to splash out on a largish one initially), I had a bigger leaved "palmatum" in a big pot here

 

A nice way to be remembered Victoria!