About
Large, upright, evergreen shrub about 3m in height and 1.8m wide, with dark, young stems and small, greyish-green, wavy-margined, leathery leaves with irregular white edging, tinted rosy-pink in winter. 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, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Coastal, 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. Variegated foliage has best leaf colour in full sun. 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)