In pots it is better to use one of the potting composts, Juicequeen, since regular garden soil is rarely porous enough to counteract a pot's inherent drainage issues, and is fine textured enough to run out of the drainage holes too easily. Over here we use an ericaceous mix, because our water is so alkaline, but it gets along fine in neutral soil.

These are beautiful shrubs, with some of the leaves changing to reddish colours at any time of year. They are evergreen too. I would plant it out: I have two which are now five feet tall, and I garden on alkaline/neutral soil. They grow better in sun, but don't mind partial shade.

I've just planted one of these in a pot in a courtyard. I never used to like the plant but have come to apreciate it! I think they must be fairly slow growing (judging by the price!!).

Slower than many: about 70 cm per year for the original species and the larger named varieties, 1/2-1/4 of that for the dwarfs. All that, of course, is in our 10 month growing season--probably less in the UK.