About

An erect evergreen shrub, with light yellow-green leaves with bell-shaped, honey-scented purple-red flowers in late spring and 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, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationBest planted in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil. Plat in a sheltered spot as may need protection in colder climes especially from cold, drying winds. Planting in full sun will bring out better leaf colour
PruningPruning Group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, cushion scale and pittosporum sucker
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf spot