Hmm, the wind, dryness and shade make it a tough spot for a true coniferous tree. My experience is that they struggle in pots even under the best of conditions.

Bamboo?

Or perhaps an artificial spiral topiary?

Did someone say, "bamboo"? I have some on the exchange part of this forum!

I do have a holly in a large container that I did not expect to last more than one season. It is still looking great two years later. I have ivy spilling down the sides of the container. If you try some specimens that aren't too expensive, you won't have lost that much.

I love bamboo. I wish I wasn't so far from you, corgilvr, otherwise I'd swap for bamboo in a second.