Pittosporum eugenioides

RHS Plant Profile

lemonwood

John Fielding

Other common names

New Zealand hedge laurel, tarata

Shrubs Trees

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
6 Suppliers

A large, bushy evergreen shrub to a height of up to 8m with slender, dark shoots and glossy oval light green leaves. Small, fragrant pale yellow flowers are borne in clusters in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pittosporaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, 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: Correct
Plant Range: New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from the current seasons growth. Rooting takes 8-12 weeks at 12-20°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 8, pruning group 9 or pruning group 10. Cut back any frost damaged growth in spring

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)