About
Upright to rounded evergreen shrub about 3m in height and 1.5m wide, with dark young stems and small, greyish-green, wavy-margined, glossy, leathery leaves tinted purple in autumn. Small, honey-scented, bell-shaped dark purple flowers 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, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or light shade, with shelter from cold drying winds. See pittosporum cultivation
PruningPruning group 1; prune hedges in spring or midsummer
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)