About
Limelight' is a large bushy shrub, or small tree, up to 3m high with shoots that are green when young, becoming greenish-brown with age; the large, glossy, elliptic, almost flat leaves, up to 5.5cm long, are lime-green with dark green margins and pale midribs. Scented, dark brown-maroon flowers appear in late spring or 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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun - will grow in partial shade, but the leaves will be most colourful and wood will ripen better in an open sunny position. Grow in the open in milder areas and in coastal gardens with shelter from the worst cold, drying winds, while in colder gardens grow in a sheltered position such as a south- or west-facing wall, and protect roots in winter with a deep dry mulch
PruningPruning group 1; if grown as a hedge, trim in spring and midsummer
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe basal cuttings in summer, by basal hardwood cuttings in late autumn, or by layering or air layering in spring
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)