Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Limelight' (v)
tawhiwhi 'Limelight'
'Limelight' is a large bushy shrub, or small tree, up to 3m high with shoots that are green when young, becoming greenish-brown with age; the large, glossy, elliptic, almost flat leaves, up to 5.5cm long, are lime-green with dark green margins and pale midribs. Scented, dark brown-maroon flowers appear in late spring or early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Brown | Brown Red | Green Yellow Variegated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Green | Brown Red | Green Yellow Variegated | |
| Autumn | Brown Green | Green Yellow Variegated | ||
| Winter | Brown Green | Green Yellow Variegated |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Pittosporaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun - will grow in partial shade, but the leaves will be most colourful and wood will ripen better in an open sunny position. Grow in the open in milder areas and in coastal gardens with shelter from the worst cold, drying winds, while in colder gardens grow in a sheltered position such as a south- or west-facing wall, and protect roots in winter with a deep dry mulch
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe basal cuttings in summer, by basal hardwood cuttings in late autumn, or by layering or air layering in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 1; if grown as a hedge, trim in spring and midsummer
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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