Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Anderson’

This well known little evergreen tree from New Zealand comes in many different forms. This one we found as an enormous hedge in a customer’s garden, took cutting and named the form after the customer. Left to its own devices it’s a multistemmed little round headed tree growing sometimes to 25ft or more. Just as often, it’s used as a hedge – particular in coastal areas. It’s not for right on the beach but will take a fair bit of wind and salt.

The reason we decided to propagate this particular form is its relatively large leaf, its vigour and the fact it never seems to get effected by any blight or insect pest. If only more plants were as understanding and accommodating as this. The flowers are small and purple but not particularly conspicuous.

A lovely and incredibly useful plant. Can reach 6ft after 5 years. Any reasonably well drained soil in plenty of light.

Propagated by us from cuttings.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.

Hardiness level Amber

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IF IT HAS A AMBER TRAFFIC LIGHT

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Hardy in the Home Counties if sensibly sited (avoiding severe frost pockets, for example). Many Amber Labelled Plants are from cuttings from well-established plants that have survived many harsh winters in the South-East.

This is only meant as a guide. Please remember we're always on hand to give advice about plants and their frost hardiness.

Please remember that these coloured labels are only a rough guide.

General Point about Plant Hardiness: The commonly held belief that it's better to 'plant small' is perfectly true with herbaceous plants, but not necessarily true with woody plants. They need some 'wood' on them to survive severe cold - so plants of marginal hardiness in very cold areas should really be planted LARGER, rather than smaller, wherever possible.