Pittosporum Plants are Fast Growing, Broadleafed Evergreen Shrubs

Pittosporum is an evergreen flowering shrub with plenty of foliage colors to choose from. There’s light green and dark green foliage and “Pittosporum Tenuifolium Purpureum“, has deep purple foliage. Also some pittosporum plants are variegated making this shrub, in its many forms, valuable in most gardens. It is salt tolerant and makes ideal hedging in coastal gardens.

There are about 200 different species in the Pittosporum genus and they range from small trees to large shrubs, there is even a dwarf pittosporum named ‚”Wheeler’s Dwarf” and it grows no more than 4ft tall by about 3ft wide. However pittosporum plants are easily pruned and can find a home even a small suburban garden.

Types of Pittosporum Plants

Pittosporum plants are very distinctive with curled, wavy foliage. The leaves are leathery and glossy and the stems are black or purple on some shrubs, especially the darker species. Pittosporum shrubs with variegated foliage are less hardy than the green or purple varieties. Some tried and trusted pittosporum plants for the average sized garden are:

• “Pittosporum tobira” is a heavily scented shrub with clusters of creamy flowers. The flowers deepen to a yellow as the season progresses and they will enchant from late spring to summer. It has shiny dark green foliage and the blossoms are reminiscent of orange. If allowed a free rein it can grow to very tall, up to 30ft., so choose the site carefully and prune accordingly from the outset. However; this pittosporum is a slow growing shrub and is often seen in large tubs. The confinement of the tub contains the speed of growth.

• “Pittosporum Tenuifolium Purpureum” has deep purple leaves and black stems. Its wavy leaves are shiny like rick leather and its tiny red flowers arrive in late spring. The fragrant flowers are like little bells. When starting out with this plant the young leaves will be light green eventually turning to purple and for the most intense color plant in full sun. Although suitable for coastal planting it should be protected from harsh winds.

• “Pittosporum Tenuifolium Irene Patterson” is a variegated plant. Its foliage is light green with cream marbling or depending on the light the coloring can look the other way round. It is a perfect stand alone shrub at the end of a pathway or across a lawn.

• “Pittosporum Tenuifolium Abbotsbury Gold” is a golden wonder in any garden. It is robust with a bushy form and its foliage is green and gold. It becomes more gold than green as the season wanes. It looks a perfect charmer during the winter months but it does not like the frost. So in harsh winter areas plant it in a tub and move it into shelter during the coldest months.

Another green/gold pittosporum is ‚”Warnham Gold‘ and this one is a frost hardy shrub. Its shiny leaves are wavy and almost curly and even though it is slow growing it can still grow up to 12ft.

Where to Grow Pittosporum Plants

Pittosporum plants are easy to grow but best foliage colors will be achieved by the following:

• Grow in full sun or partial shade. Full sun is best for eye-catching foliage.

• Protect from harsh winds.

• Plant in moist but well drained soil.

• Mulch during the winter months in an open garden situation.

Pruning Pittosporum Plants

Pruning is best done in the spring to keep the plant in trim and within its growing limits. There is no formal method to pruning – just a light trim with a shears is normally enough. If a plant has outgrown its position pittosporum can be pruned severely and it will survive. Pittosporum plants are ideal for pruning and clipping into hedges.

Planting a pittosporum plant is a once-off as once established they will grow happily for years giving year round interest in urban, rural and coastal settings. A good companion plant for pittosporum in a seaside garden is hydrangea as they both enjoy the same conditions.