Pittosporum tenuifolium

Pittosporum tenuifolium, native to New Zealand, is a versatile evergreen shrub or small tree that comes in a variety of cultivars. These plants are known for their attractive foliage, which can range from green to yellow, grey-green, or variegated with white or cream margins. Some cultivars, such as ‘Bannow Bay’ and ‘Garnettii’, may display pink or red hues in the winter months.

Pittosporum tenuifolium plants can grow to varying heights, typically ranging from 1-6 meters (3-20 feet), depending on the cultivar and growing conditions. They generally form dense, compact mounds or can be trained into small trees or hedges.

In late spring to early summer, some variants of Pittosporum tenuifolium plants may produce small, inconspicuous flowers in shades of dark purple or brownish-red, which are often sweetly scented.

When pruning or clipping these plants, it is essential to sterilize tools between plants using a 5% bleach solution to avoid the potential spread of disease. As with all woody plants, they should be planted high, exposing the taper at the base of the trunk, and kept well-watered during establishment.