Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Purpureum' (m)
tawhiwhi 'Purpureum'
Open, evergreen shrub about 3m tall and 1.5m wide, with pale green, wavy-margined, glossy, new spring leaves, gradually changing in colour to deep bronze-purple. Small, honey-scented, bell-shaped dark purple flowers are produced in clusters, from early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Bronze | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green Bronze | ||
| Autumn | Bronze Purple | |||
| Winter | Bronze Purple |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Pittosporaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright, 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or light shade, with shelter from cold drying winds. Purple foliage has best leaf colour in full sun. See pittosporum cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 1; prune hedges in spring or 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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