Small specimens of pine or spruce do well if planted in glazed ceramic pots. These pots are not likely to crack during the rigors of freezing and thawing through the winter. The little trees can also withstand this period if cared for properly. You can't just plant and forget them.
The key to keeping them green is to keep them watered and spray the needles with an anti-desiccant spray such as Wilt-Pruf. This waxy spray will help seal in moisture, helping to prevent winter "burn." The burn, of course, isn't a burn at all, but the result of a harsh exposure and too little moisture.
This spray can also be used on evergreens planted in the ground that tend to brown out in winter (especially on their south and west sides) as well as indoor Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths.
Potted evergreen trees can be accompanied by frost hardy plants such as kale, pansies and snapdragons. They can also be decorated with lights, ornaments and bows as you see fit.
If winter temperatures get drastically low, I'd recommend pulling these pots into a garage, enclosed porch or hallway. The spot shouldn't be hot because you don't the plants to revert to active summertime growth. It should just be less cold than outside temperatures. There's a store in my neighborhood that displays a pair of Alberta spruces flanking its doorway every day of the year. They pull the pots in every night next to the glass of the door, and put them back outside every morning unless the weather is severely cold. It's a nice greeting that you can adopt for your entryway.
Plants and products shown in this segment are courtesy of Tagawa Gardens.
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