Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Limelight' (v)

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tawhiwhi 'Limelight'

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tawhiwhi 'Limelight' RHS

Synonyms

Pittosporum 'Limelight'

Shrubs
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'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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–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

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
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)