SHRUBS > PITTOSPORUM

IN THIS GUIDE

PITTOSPORUM GUIDES

leaves of Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegatum

Pittosporums or ‘ Cheesewood ’ are evergreen plant shrubs or hedgerow plants which come in a wide-eyed cooking stove of human body and sizes .

These useful evergreen shrubs are prized for their glossy evergreen plant leave-taking and can make great specimen shrubs , simple topiary plants , or formal hedgerows .

Although they are not suitable for all UK gardens , where the atmospheric condition are correct , they can be a highly attractive add-on .

small cheesewood plant with waxy green leaves and white flowers growing outside from mulched ground

P. tenuifolium‘Silver Queen’

Overview

PreferredFull Sun or Partial Shade

ExposureSheltered

Height0.5 – 6 M

pittosporum tenuifolium ‘silver queen’ shrub with green leaves that are edged with white

P. tenuifolium‘Silver Queen’

Spread0.5 – 6 M

PreferredChalk , loam and sand

MoistureMoist but well - debilitate

P. tenuifolium ‘Elizabeth’ with cream and green leaves, small black flowers and fresh new growth

P. tenuifolium‘Elizabeth’

pHAny

Pittosporum is a genus of around 200 species find throughout Australasia , Oceania , eastern Asia and voice of Africa.1Cheesewoods ( Genus Pittosporum ) . ( n.d . ) . iNaturalist United Kingdom . think March 22 , 2023 , fromhttps://uk.inaturalist.org/taxa/51597-Pittosporum

They are also commonly grown in gardens throughout subtropic and temperate zones , though some are also get as bonsai plants indoors .

ripe brown seed pods of Pittosporum growing from tree branches

Common Varieties

When select a pittosporum to grow in your garden , the size to which it will eventually grow is one of the key consideration .

Pittosporums are usefully group into smaller compact shrubs which acquire 1 - 2 mebibyte tall , and medium to large shrub .

Somecompactpittosporum , which are honorable for small borders , down in the mouth hedges or containers , are :

pittosporum with woody branches and oval green leaves growing inside a glass greenhouse

Somelargerpittosporums for larger borders or high hedging let in :

How To Grow Pittosporum

If you know someone with a pittosporum you admire in their garden , you could consider collecting the viscid seed when the capsules break open , clean away the embarrassing coat and sowing in pots or tray of seed compost at 12 - 15 ° C .

However , it is worth noting that the plants which develop from these seed may not look the same as the plant from which the seeds come , specially if you are deal with a motley that has color or vary leave-taking .

If you do decide to run , you will also have to be patient , as sprouting will take a duo of month .

rounded pittosporum shrub growing in a flower border next to an outdoors garden path

Most hoi polloi will buy plants to range in their gardens , but it should be noted that taking slip is another choice for propagation .

We ’ll talk about propagating pittosporum from cuttings a little later in this guide .

Pittosporum Plant Care

Pittosporum can be relatively wanton to care for , but it is authoritative to empathise the shape they require and to put them in a suitable spot .

Most pittosporums are H4 unfearing .

However , others , such asP. tobira , are conservatory plants , which must be grown inside over winter – though they may be able to go out over the summertime months .

pittosporum shrub that has been pruned into a rounded shape

Pittosporum will do best in a sheltered position in full sun or easy shadowiness .

It is important to check that that the plant life are protected from harsh , cold wind and not placed in frost pocket .

Variegated sort will keep their color good in a site which is as sunny as possible .

pittosporum shrub with waxy green leaves that are covered in raindrops

Pittosporums demand well - drained dirt , so any soil typewhich does not become too waterlogged can be suited .

Compact cultivar grown in container should be grown in a suited free - draining medium and the container should have good drainage .

verify the land or growing medium is rich in organic affair for wet retention .

many tiny red spider mites on top of a leaf with their silk web covering the plant

Pittosporum should be pruned in mid - spring for individual specimen shrub .

Aim to prune out vigorous shoot which shoot out from the abstract of the foliation , and seek to develop a strong cardinal stem and an enhancement of the industrial plant ’s natural shape .

For hedge and topiary shapes , prune between the midsection of spring and late summer .

Give the plant 2 - 3 cuttings during the growing time of year , pruning for the last metre by the last of August .

Pittosporum can be somewhat reluctant to root , so using a rooting hormone is recommended to better rooting results .

The best option is to take semi - ripe cutting in the late summertime or early fall .

The cuttings should be around 6 - 8 cm long and should be placed in pots filled with a fittingly damp ( yet innocent - draining ) medium in a cool but frost - free position – until they are planted out the next year .

unseasoned shoots can also be layer in spring , though this is typically a more unmanageable generation method .

Pittosporum is usually comparatively trouble - free if grown in the right touch and care for correctly .

Powdery mildew may affect the leaf but wo n’t usually need to be controlled .

“ Pittosporums can be prone to frost wrong , so I suggest not plant them in frost air hole or queer conditions , ” say Master Horticulturist Dan Ori .

“ During the first fall or wintertime and late springiness frosts , I use horticultural   sheepskin to protect young plants and those grow in pots . ”

Plants grown indoors may be affected by coarse issue like red wanderer mites and scale insects .

References