Any containerized shrubs will have to be either moved into larger pots periodically or be taken out of them, have the outside of the roots shaved off maybe once per year in order to remain in the same tubs for extended periods. Annual pruning of roots is a basic part of the bonsai method for instance.

Woody plants left in the same containers without such treatment to the point that they burst the pots apart will have been left unattended for way too long.

first ... not any invasive Ls .... you knew that ..

second.. use pot in pot ... get a plain old black plastic pot.. that fits inside your fancy pot .... we have to do this in MI ... so pots can be stored empty for winter.. so they dont crumble with freeze thaw ... media holding water that expands when it freezes ...

ken

Thanks, I can do the pot in pot thing AND trim roots bonsai like. I don't have to overwinter but pot in pot would make root trimming easier. I will show off my work later. I am prune-crazed gardener, ha.

Yaupon would certainly work too.

berries would be nice. I'll look into it. In fact, I gave a source for a dwarf ilex