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Pittosporum tobira

Japanese pittosporum

A dense, broad, slow-growing medium-sized evergreen shrub with leathery, glossy, obovate leaves, and large terminal umbels of small sweetly-scented flowers opening white, soon turning yellow, in late spring and early summer

Other common names
Australian laurel
house-blooming mock orange
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Yellow Green
Summer White Yellow Green
Autumn Green Brown Yellow
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
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

Plant range
Far East

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from cold drying winds. Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • 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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