A neat evergreen shrub grown for its dense foliage and tidy shape, giving a garden structure in every month.
'Golf Ball' is one of the most compact forms, making a dense ball of small, glossy, mid-green leaves with wavy edges on dark, almost black stems. It holds that shape by itself, so it does the job of clipped topiary without the clipping, and small dark purple flowers appear among the leaves in late spring.
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: 50 to 100cm tall and wide
Growth Habit: Compact, dense and naturally rounded
Perfect For: Borders, low hedging and informal screening, patio containers and coastal gardens
Foliage: Small, glossy, mid-green leaves with wavy edges on dark, almost black stems
Flowering Time: Late spring, small dark purple flowers with a honey scent
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
