Overview
Pittosporum bicolor is a bushy shrub in the genus Pittosporum, part of the Pittosporaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Pittosporum bicolor grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, hedging and screens and wall side borders.
About
Pittosporum bicolor, commonly known as cheesewood or banyalla, is a flowering shrub or small tree of the family Pittosporaceae, and is native to south eastern Australia. It is common and widespread, growing as an understorey plant in temperate wet sclerophyll forests of south eastern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is hardy through an average UK winter (RHS H4). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, hedging and screens and wall side borders. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or part shade.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Pittosporum bicolor
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Pittosporum
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Pittosporum bicolor size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Hedging and screens, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Pittosporum bicolor
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse red spider mite, Aphids, Cushion scale, Pittosporum sucker
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, Leaf spot, Honey fungus (rarely)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Pittosporum bicolor?
Pittosporum bicolor prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Pittosporum bicolor need?
Pittosporum bicolor is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Pittosporum bicolor hardy in the UK?
Pittosporum bicolor has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Pittosporum bicolor?
Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
More in the Pittosporum genus
- PittosporumPeter's sperm
- Pittosporum crassifolium 'Napier' (f)
- Pittosporum crassifolium 'Variegatum' (v)
- Pittosporum divaricatum
- Pittosporum ellipticum
- Pittosporum heterophyllum 'La Blanca' (v)
- Pittosporum patulum
- Pittosporum phillyreoidesdesert willow
