Overview

Pittosporum divaricatum is a bushy shrub in the genus Pittosporum, part of the Pittosporaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Pittosporum divaricatum 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. It is native to New Zealand North and New Zealand South.

About

Pittosporum divaricatum is an evergreen shrub from New Zealand with a well-branched habit. It flowers in the UK from April to June. It tolerates a wide range of soils and suits sheltered situations. Use it where an evergreen screen or structured shrub is needed.

About the genus

Pittosporum is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the family Pittosporaceae. Plants in the genus Pittosporum are shrubs or trees with leaves arranged alternately along the stems. The flowers are arranged singly or in cymes, with white to yellow petals fused at the base forming a short tube, with stamens that are free from each other.

Wikipedia contributors, "Pittosporum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Pittosporum

In the garden

Pittosporum divaricatum is an evergreen shrub native to both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Its growth habit produces a dense framework of stems, making it useful where year-round structure is required. In the UK it reliably flowers from April to June. Sit it in full sun or partial shade on any neutral, acid or alkaline soil; it accepts chalk, clay, loam and sand provided the soil is well drained to moist but well drained. Planting against a sheltered aspect—east, south, west or north—reduces exposure to cold winds; the species is rated H4, which corresponds to average hardiness in British gardens. Pittosporum divaricatum works well in city and courtyard plots, coastal sites, cottage and informal gardens, and as hedging, screens or for wall-side borders. It is suited to sheltered positions where its evergreen foliage will form a persistent screen through winter and produce its seasonal flowers each spring. Position it where its structure can be seen close to paths or walls, as the evergreen framework remains a garden asset outside the flowering months.

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 divaricatum 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

Native to

New Zealand North, New Zealand South

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Pittosporum divaricatum

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