About

A slow-growing medium-sized evergreen shrub of dense, rounded habit. Leaves obovate, dark green with creamy-white margins. Small, sweetly-scented white flowers in late spring and early summer turn yellow with age.

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 hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeHouseplants, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, 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 seed or 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)