Front door plants for pots

Question: what  is your recommendation for native perennials or evergreens  that would have interest year-round for me to plant in two 12x12x12 square weather -resistent fiberglass and concrete planters with drain holes  at my front door. I had Japanese barberry in them in the past which you advised me to remove, as it was invasive and limited value to insectS and birds, so  i did remove them.  The pots on the  front steps receive 4-6 hours of sun.  I would like some heigth for some privacy from neighbor, perhaps an evergreen holly-type of plant.. (See photo  Thank you, Dawn

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 27, 2023, 11:59 AM EDT
response: Hi, Unfortunately there isn't a plant that will fit all your requirements.  For any plant that you want to leave in the pot long term and overwinter you really need a larger pot for the soil and root mass to sustain enough insulation. If you get a larger pot you could achieve some of the height you are looking for to give you some of the privacy as well. The 12x12 inch perimeter is probably ok, but the depth could be greater.  If you want to support birds, pollinators, and wildlife, you could opt for some perennials but there really won't be many that could give you evergreen AND height.  One thought is a native grass that could give you some height and winter interest but it won't stay evergreen. Something like Indian Grass, Switchgrass, Bluestem etc. If you do a search for native grasses you can find some of interest to you. You could leave it up all winter and trim it back in March It would take a month or so to get some height again. Birds can enjoy the seed heads. You could plant some phlox subulata or mossy phlox around the base to spill over the side (but the pot is probably a little too small for that). That would stay evergreen and bloom in the spring. Check out the following links for some additional ideas:https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2022/03/14/helping-pollinators-in-small-green-spaces/https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/container-gardening-with-native-plants ( these are more prairie natives but they could work well in planters - all of these suggestions are for larger planters though but you could maybe find some plants that may interest you)  For evergreens that would fit in the container size, at least for a little bit, you may need some added protection during the winter to keep the roots from freezing and drying out: Ilex vomitoria 'nana', 'schillings dwarf', or for height 'Will Flemming' but you will need to keep it pruned. This variety of holly is hearty more in the south so especially in a pot, it may not survive in cold winters in Maryland. Ilex opaca 'Maryland Dwarf'- it won't get very tall and you will need to prune to keep the width manageable.Ilex glabra (inkberry) 'gem box' cam stay small enough for a container but probably not enough height that you are looking for.*Thuja  occidentalis  (arborvitae) 'Degroot's Spire' - does get a bronze color to the needles in the winter*Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone', 'Compressa' or Juniperus scopolorum 'Blue Arrow' *These two types of evergreens you really would do better in a larger pot or they will probably get top heavy and tip over a lot. You can also start with smaller plants but they grow fairly slowly and they will take awhile to get the height for privacy you are looking for.  Let us know if you have questions about any of these plants or suggestions.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2023, 12:36 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much! This is really helpful!Sent from my iPhone On Jun 27, 2023, at 11:59 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 28, 2023, 1:38 PM EDT
response: You're welcome- happy to help!