About
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen' is a substantial evergreen shrub characterized by its rounded, greyish-green foliage edged in a creamy-white hue. During the summer months, it produces small, aromatic dark purple flowers, though these appear infrequently. The plant also bears dark grey fruits that contain a sticky pulp.
About the genus
Pittosporum comprises evergreen shrubs or trees characterized by their simple, leathery foliage. They produce small, often aromatic flowers with five petals, which are succeeded by round, woody fruits that open to expose seeds coated in a sticky pulp.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Easy to grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil. May need protection in colder climes especially from cold, drying winds. Plant in full sun for the best leaf effect
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, cushion scale and pittosporum sucker
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews, leafspot and honey fungus (rarely)