About

A small, dense, slow-growing, evergreen shrub to about 1m with leathery, glossy, obovate leaves, and large, terminal umbels of small, sweetly-scented flowers opening white, soon turning yellow, 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, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesMediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from cold drying winds. Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
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)