i have a weeping cherry blossom in a container and it doesn't seem to mind, in fact i think it looks really nice, its just in flower now :)

If it isn't a windy spot and also not in full sun one of the weeping Japanese acers might fit the bill nicely, the smaller ones are happy in pots.

mountain ash are good

Thank you for your replies. I did think it maybe too windy for an acer. I had one in the back garden which didn't survive. Shame as I really like them !
April .....does the size of the container determine the size of the tree??
Biddy, I'm going to look into the 'mountain ash', size, shape etc
Thank you all

i love mountain ash but it is taller, but a light open tree.

in answer to your question...would think so but i'm pretty much a beginner at all of this, however if you don't want it to grow too tall might be a good idea.

Would it flourish in a pot SBG - ours wouldn't.

I was looking at Cheal Weeping, but was getting different description/sizes??

I've read cherries can cause problems if near to a house, but ok in pot I should think for a few years, What about an elder such as sambucus black lace? can easily be kept to required size I would think and very beautiful in flower:-)

Thank you Bornagain, I did wonder if I planted in the ground ,there would be problems. I have a black lace in a pot in the back garden. I really like them. Do you know if they can be pruned back to a size that is required?

I'm sure I've read that they can, try typing s. black lace in the search box as I know I've seen some on here that have been pruned regularly and I do know that with the golden elder you should prune it hard to get best leaves:-)

The mountain ash come in lots of sizes, I have just bought another two,sorbus Eastern promise, and november pink.I used to live in kent and you will enjoy gardening as everything grows well, I had a ceonothus, that is a lovely blue flower, it can grow into a tree, evergreen. You'll soon pick it up. happy gardening

Eastern Promise will grow to 10 metres, November Pink to 7 metres - neither will survive for long in a pot. Mountain ashes are not wee trees!

i have a small SALIX FLAMINGO in my back garden i dont think it will grow any more than 5ft
it has lovely pale pink and light green leaves I think its an eye catcher