By Susannah6
North Yorkshire,
United Kingdom 
Two questions I'm afraid. Some friends have bought me two trees- a Corylus 'Red Majestic' and a Magnolia 'Susan'. I have planted four trees in my garden in the last six months and have no room for any more! I am fairly sure the Corylus will grow in a large container but I'm unsure about the Magnolia 'Susan'? Has anyone done this successfully?
The other question is - I try to be green and have been using washing up water, after the bubbles have gone, to water my outside plants. Belatedly...will the soap residue do them any harm and can that water be used on my tomato plants, which I have always hesitated to do?
16 Jun, 2013
Answers
Depends what type of washing up liquid you use. If its an eco friendly one,its OK to keep using in open ground,but I wouldn't use it in pots. As for the magnolia, ultimate height is 15feet. You could keep it in a pot for a while, but magnolias hate root disturbance and don't appreciate being potted on much.
16 Jun, 2013
Thank you Cammomile and Bamboo. Didn't realise the Magnolia grew quite as high. Will find a place for it somewhere...!
16 Jun, 2013
I've grown both forms of the contorted hazel in containers, the ordinary one (if you can call it that!) for many years. 'Red Majestic' will do fine in a container, out of the hottest sun, in a soil based compost. Magnolia 'Susan' will get too big (tall and wide), inside a few years.
16 Jun, 2013
Thanks 'Worthy1'. I have read so many conflicting reports as to size and suitability for pots on various sites that it is nice to hear from people who have been there and done that!
17 Jun, 2013
I'd be a bit reluctant to use washing up water because of the chemicals in it. Bathing water is better if its not full of shampoo and soap.
16 Jun, 2013