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Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Elizabeth' (m/v)

tawhiwhi 'Elizabeth'

A evergreen shrub to 4m in height with narrow oval, wavy-edged grey-green leaves that are edged with cream, flushed pink, in all seasons. Scented, dark purple star-shaped flowers are borne from early summer

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Cream Green Grey Silver Pink
Summer Purple Cream Green Grey Silver Pink
Autumn Cream Green Grey Silver Pink
Winter Cream Green Grey Silver Pink Brown
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H4
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

In areas prone to frosts grow under glass in a loam-based potting compost and water moderately when in growth, sparingly in winter. Can be grown outdoors in most fertile soils with protection from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders
  • Hedging and screens
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, leafspot and honey fungus (rarely)

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