Pittosporum tobira 'West Acre Gold'

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese pittosporum 'West Acre Gold'

Shrubs

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Slow-growing, large, dense, evergreen shrub about 3-4m tall and wide with upright sturdy stems. Leathery leaves to 10cm long are grey-green with irregular golden-yellow margins and large clusters of small, very sweetly-scented creamy-white flowers produced in late spring and early summer turn yellow with age

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

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): H2

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: Spreading branched
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: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

In frost free southern counties grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, with shelter from cold drying winds. Suitable for container cultivation in frost free conservatory or greenhouse. See pittosporum cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1, may need restrictive pruning for conservatory or greenhouse cultivation

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)