Plantman56

Thanks
Sorry for the slow response.
These plants could winter over. However I have a cold frame set up in my yard, that I keep my containers, like this, in over the winter.
I have replanted this one several time since this photo.
Proper soil is important. I make a gritty mix. These plants love well drained soils, and this will keep them growing for a long time. Soils that have mostly peat moss are not ideal. Water daily - but only if the soil is draining well.

Michelle,
The use of rocks in the design is my attempt at creating a scene. In this very small space there is an outcropping of rocks with the sempervirums bursting out. Maybe how it might look if you would see them naturally. I like to use rocks in my garden designs it was fun to use them here too.
Grizmom3 - if go to my blog- ( click on my name) or click on Michelle's link ( how to make you will see how to make hypertufa. Simply put hypertufa is a mixture of portland cement, peatmoss and perlite -water- to create a container that looks somewhat like stone. It is one more way adults can have fun in the garden!

LaFlor -
This planter is about 15" wide and about 5-6" deep. Just recently I made a similar shapped container only 24"wide. I am in the process of posting pictures of it on my blog (click on my name above) Also have made several rectangular shapped troughs - using an extra large and deep kitty litter pan as the mold.
All of these containers are able to make it through the winter without cracking. If you pick the right plants, most will weather the winter with little damage.
Mike

Thanks for you kind words.
The success to this planting is the soil. I do not use bagged soil. I mix my own, using coarse particles, allows the water to drain well. I enjoy planting conifers. The reason I started making hypertufa containers was to have a place to plant small, mini conifers. Hypertufa works great. You are only limited by your imagination.
The hinoki in this container will eventually get too large but it has done nicely for the last few years and with a little root pruning maybe another year or two. I appreciate you recommendations for the cover photo- I would be glad to provide FG the details on how I made this hypertufa container and how to keep plants growing well with the right soil.

Have a great day and enjoy your garden. Mike

I used a mix of portland cement and sand. Covered a large exercise ball. Thanks

Thanks,
Your are right drainage for these plants is critical. One reason why I make my own container soil. To answer you question YES there are drainage holes. It is very easy to drill through the cement/sand mixture.


My blog
http://plantman56.blogspot.com/

Mike