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Pittosporum crassifolium

caro

An evergreen, dense, bushy shrub or small tree with oblong, dark green leaves felted white-grey beneath. Clusters of small, fragrant, deep red to purple flowers are borne in spring

Other common names
evergreen pittosporum
karo
see moreparchment bark

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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Purple Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Pittosporaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Pittosporum are evergreen shrubs or trees with simple, leathery leaves and small, often fragrant, 5-petalled flowers, followed by spherical, woody fruits splitting to reveal seeds embedded in sticky pulp

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In areas prone to frosts grow under glass in a loam-based potting compost. A good screen or shelterbelt for mild, coastal areas

Propagation

Propagate by budding in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, cushion scale and pittosporum sucker

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and a leaf spot

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