Perfect Pittosporum

Published on 2 April 2019

When you visit Provender Nurseries you will have noticed the many types of Pittosporum we have in stock. Not only is Pittosporum one of our favourite plants, it is also one of yours.

Although Pittosporum does not originate from the Mediterranean they do seem to slip very well into that style of planting – it is a most versatile plant with a multitude of attributes to please everyone.

Pittosporum are a low maintenance plant with little pruning required to keep the shape. Many have scented flowers however most are grown for the foliage colour. Pittosporum are a great choice for coastal gardens as well as Mediterranean.

Pittosporum tobira is a brilliant choice for Mediterranean style gardening as the extremely glossy green leaves literally shine all year round. The bonus of pure white highly scented flowers comes to the forefront in the summer months when the scent fills the air around the plant. Just perfect.

Among the other popular Pittosporum plants are the Pittosporum tenuifolium. There are huge range of shapes, sizes, leaf colour and forms to select the perfect Pittosporum for you.

For defined shapes there are Pittosporum tenuifolium. There are now a few new options to choose from which have been included below:

Golf Ball has a compact round growth habit with mint green leaves. Height 50-60cm
Tom Thumb is particularly popular with very shiny dark purple foliage. The new growth in the spring emerges bright green against the dark purple. Height 1m
Beach Ball has bright green foliage. Height 60cm
Glo Ball also has a compact habit with irregular cream margins to the green leaves.
Gold Ball has mint green foliage and tiny chocolate brown flowers in the summer. Height 50-60cm
Silver Ball forms a compact ball-shaped evergreen plant with silver green foliage. Height 70cm

Pittosporum are excellent plants for planting as a standalone plant in a mixed border or even as a slightly different hedging option. The choices of leaf colour are reflected in the choices highlighted below:

Arundel Green has slightly leathery green leaves. Height 5m
Irene Patterson is extremely popular with many a garden designer. The black stems with the green leaves speckled white and pink in the winter is a great choice for a pretty variegated shrub. Height 1.2m
Garnetii is very similar to Irene Patterson with white flushed pink variegation to the leaves too. Height 3m
Abbotsbury Gold has attractive mottled yellow foliage with an upright habit.
Cratus is relatively new to Provender Nurseries and already proving popular. The plant has a compact growth habit and very pointed eaves compared to most other Pittosporum.
Elizabeth is a favourite of mine with the glossy evergreen foliage taking on a pink hue in the colder months. The inconspicuous flowers in spring are slightly vanilla scented too. This is a great option for informal hedging.
Gold Star has wavy edged leaves and yellow and green variegated leaves. Another Pittosporum with an upright habit. Height 2m
Purpureum has the black stems that Pittosporum are so well known for. The new foliage emerges pale green and turns to purple as the season progresses.
Silver Sheen is familiar to many if you have received a bunch of flowers as it is often used by florists. The pale silvery green foliage sometimes turns slightly pink. Height 5m
Stevens Island has a neat upright habit and slightly pointed olive green leaves. Height 3m
Tandara Gold has slightly wavy edges to the leaf. The leaves emerge green and turn to a golden yellow in the summer. Height 3m