Posting on this forum, we presume you want a native plant. It's hard to think of any species that quite matches your specification and will stay healthy under those conditions. One possibility is Syzygium luehmannii, though it would not take too much neglect in tems of watering and fertilizing.

What about a cypress, Callitris species? They're good and bushy, have a tall profile, and grow fairly fast. I'd imagine they might be kept at a suitable size for ten to 20 years, but have no actual experience of them as a pot plant. The ones in my yard are nice, well-shaped things with foliage very dense to ground level. They'll eventually get to be rather open, with a single trunk and a good profile on the skyline but they're hanging in there very well as a bushy screen at present. I gave them a haircut once or twice when they were young.
Trish
Trish

Yes I too would be looking at the various Syzygiums, you could try different foliage colours for a layered look. Keep them clipped to make them bushy but, as Tom says, you can't neglect them. Try putting them in well sealed pots and mulch with a moisture retentive material such as lucerne. If you think they might suffer from windburn, spray them before it happens with Yates Stressguard.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried syzygium and acmena here, and they have been struggling for about 3 years. They do OK until the middle of summer, where most of the new growth gets burnt off. The 46C we had on New Year's Day nearly killed them, and made me question whether they are the best choice there (and I wasn't around to save them). I have since moved them to a shadier spot, and they have never looked better. For that reason I was thinking Leptospermum, Acacia or Grevillea, but I don't know how they will go in pots.

I think you're right about the syzygium and acmena. I've had the same experience in a similar spot.
If it was me I'd try an acacia. As far as I know they do well in pots. I have a couple but are still only about 1- 1.5 meters high, and were destined for the garden.

What about a wollemi pine?! Though the sun may knock it around too when it's young.
A

I've grown any number of natives in pots (our old house was all pots because it was rental). You can grow gum trees, richea, nothofagus, eremophila, ficus, crowea, westringia, prostanthera, citrus etc.

Just pick something you like and tip prune it into shape. The CSIRO native citrus hybrids are nice - my blood lime (kangaroo poo lime) is just fruiting now.

for me i think the best possibilities are going to be the palms? ie.,. 'golden canes' they will handle pots and get tallish and bushy if you get one's that clump well. even a good 'kentia' or 2 they get quiet a showy top on them that should give some screening, other palms to consider are: 'macarthur's', 'bangalow's', 'alexanders'.

in a large tub the 'ficus' should do well ie 'benjamina' or maybe a 'moreton bay fig spec's'.

maybe even erect a bit of a trellis and grow an ever green vine?

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page

If you have big pots, install a dripper system with multiple dripers per pot. If you have made the big investment in time and materials for your plants, you should provide reliable water too. They won't use much.

I like the idea of the citrus hybrids. They look quite interesting and unique. Perhaps I will see if I can get some of those as a start. The figs might be worth looking into also. Thanks for your advice.

How about Kunzea ambigua? See the link below

Cheers,
Frank

Here is a link that might be useful: Kunzea ambigua

If it is afternoon sun then I guess you have a westerly aspect. On exposed patios in a situation like that, plants are going to get a hell of a beating. I would suggest hardier stuff like Banksia ericifolia, B. integrifolia, any of the Westringias, Ficus benjamina. If it was me I would be considering the largest pots possible with the most advanced plants you can afford.

Bamboo might also be a possiblity.

I've never seen any of the dwarf Melaleuca/Leptospermum varieties in pots, but they are one plant that can take the heat. They also respond well to pruning - I've planted these in several of the 'trouble' spots in my yard, and nothing seems to upset them. Ask at your local nursery whether they are suited to pots - I dont mess around with too many containers, I'm afraid.

why dont you try NSW christmas bush,sure it looks like your growing a prohibited narcotic
(well my mates thought i was)
for most of the year,but will handle pots very well,loves westerley situations,dosent mind the heat and can be cheap enough when not in flower sure its safe but its easy and you can find advanced specimens at most garden centres

my $2.20 worth

wazcrazy