A neat evergreen shrub grown for its dense foliage and tidy shape, giving a garden structure in every month.
Pittosporum makes a rounded, tidy bush of small glossy leaves on dark stems, and it clips well if you want a sphere or a low informal hedge. Left alone it holds its shape with almost no help, which is why it is used so widely for borders, pathways and pots.
Plant it in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It stands up to coastal wind and salt, but a sheltered spot is worth having in the coldest inland and northern gardens, because a hard winter can brown the foliage on the purple and variegated kinds. Water it while it settles in, then it asks for very little beyond a light trim in spring. The tiny dark flowers in late spring are easy to miss and strongly honey scented in the evening, and the foliage is a florist staple that lasts well in a vase.
Supplied as an established plant in a 3 litre pot, ready to plant out or pot on.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Pittosporum, kohuhu
Fully Grown Height and Spread: Not stated by the grower for this variety
Growth Habit: Compact, rounded or upright
Perfect For: Borders, low hedging and informal screening, patio containers and coastal gardens
Foliage: Evergreen and glossy; the colour varies by variety
Flowering Time: Late spring, small honey-scented flowers on established plants
Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade, including exposed coastal gardens, and happy in a container
Soil Type: Fertile and well-drained
Hardiness: Hardy in most of Britain; give it shelter in the coldest inland and northern gardens
Maintenance: Low; a light trim in spring keeps its shape
Seasonal Interest: Flowers in spring, and evergreen structure through the winter
Type: Evergreen shrub
