About
Fast-growing, evergreen shrub about 3-4m in height and 2.5m wide, with white, downy, young stems and leathery leaves to 13cm long, felted beneath, greyish-green with irregular, broad, creamy-white margins. Small, tubular, bell-shaped dark crimson flowers with yellow anthers are produced in clusters, from early summer.
About the genus
Pittosporum are evergreen shrubs or trees with simple, leathery leaves and small, often fragrant, 5-petalled flowers, followed by spherical, woody fruits splitting to reveal seeds embedded in sticky pulp
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationSuitable for southern counties in a sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, or container cultivation for frost free conservatory or greenhouse in colder areas. See pittosporum cultivation
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, cushion scale and pittosporum sucker
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, leafspot and honey fungus (rarely)