Not easy or fast to . We aim to enrich everyones life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. The hedging plants tolerate heavy pruning, dont require much care, and mature at around 3 ft. (1 m) tall. This reduces transplant shock by encouraging root growth near the trunk. Apply 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm.) Remove the mildewed leaves, prune the plant to improve air circulation, and use a fungicide if the mildew spreads. To combat leaf spot, remove the leaves and dispose of them. After new growth has emerged in late spring, prune stray branches to maintain the shape and size you desire. Some pittosporum cultivars have variegated leaves with interesting shapes and textures. Add slow-release shrub fertilizer in spring to encourage healthy leaf growth. Pittosporum tenuifolium Silver Sheen hedge. A few Firethorn facts Name Pyracantha, Choisya ternata 'Sundance' is is a true marvel at the beginning of spring with its magnificent small white flowers and, Choisya Sundance, the golden Mexican orange tree. The Pittosporum tenuifolium cultivar Marjorie Channon is an attractive ornamental shrub with a rounded habit and oval gray-green leaves with creamy-white margins. Avoid piling mulch directly against the base of the trunk. Varieties Green Pillar 3-4m Silver Sheen 4-5m Golden Sheen 3m Golf Ball 1m Silver Song 4-5m Sunburst Screen Master Pittosporum tenuifolium/Landscape Plants. Prune affected stems back to 6 inches past any damage. If part of a hedge, keep a distance of around 32 to 40inches (80 to 100cm) meters) between pittosporum plants to give each the space it needs. Not sure which Pittosporum - Kohuhu to pick?Compare All Pittosporum - Kohuhu, Buy Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Kohuhu). To facilitate rapid healing of cut surfaces, prune these in late summer or early autumn instead. Kohuhu prefers moist, well-draining soils and can tolerate some maritime salt spray. The leaves have a broad, rounded end and are spatulate or obovate shaped. The Silver Star pittosporum cultivar has clusters of small wavy-edged ovate-shaped glossy green leaves growing on black stems. RHS Registered Charity no. It is not the recommended way to grow new plants. To use the website as intended please While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. Grow in a row at least 3 ft. (1 m) apart to create a tall evergreen privacy screen. The rounded shrub has whorls of spatulate glossy green leaves with irregular creamy margins. If you prune them later in year the new foliage which grows as a response to pruning may be damaged more easily during the winter. In mass plantings, the plant will create a 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 1 m) tall hedge without the need to prune its height. Flower colour Black, Red. The planting, pruning and care you provide this shrub will ensure the proper development of your pittosporum. Annual pruning as part of the care of Pittosporum may reduce the scented flowers. Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK. Grow Pittosporum tenuifolium Tom Thumb in a sunny, sheltered site in well-drained soil. A foliar feed, such as liquid seaweed, a few weeks after pruning, will be appreciated. Minimal pruning will help keep the hedges informal shape. Pittosporum prefer well-drained soil in full sun but they do tolerate some shade. There are more than 25 cultivars offered in the nursery trade with several compact versions suitable for container gardening. Delivery options. The shrub is best trimmed lightly if you want to maintain that shape, but you don't need to trim it if it's not essential. Remove the lower leaves, then coat the cut end with a. Pittosporums are hardy in USDA growing zones 8 to 11, depending on the cultivar. However, if growth slows, add a well-balanced (8-8-8 NPK) slow-release granular fertilizer around the drip line of the shrub in the early spring. Some deciduous trees and shrubs, such as birch ( Betula) bleed if pruned in late winter. Use a landscape pin to keep the branch firmly in place in the soil. To grow as a dense living fence or privacy hedge, grow a Japanese pittosporum in well-drained soil. The compact shrub thrives in the sun or shade and adapts to all types of soil. : 2 litre pot: 24.99 Delivery by Crocus . Your email address will not be published. Common names for Pittosporum undulatum include Victorian box, Australian cheesewood, native daphne, and mock orange. May need protection in colder climes especially from cold, drying winds. For example, you can grow it as a small tree with variegated foliage by removing lower stems. The brightly colored green and white foliage contrasts with dark stems to create a tall ornamental hedge. Type shrub, Height 6to16feet (2to5 meters) In addition, Pittosporum hedge plants are very drought-tolerant, withstand salty air, and survive the heat. If you do want to prune your Pittosporum the best times are between April and July. The bushy shrub will grow fast and quickly develop into an attractive tall border, privacy screen, or living wall. Old variegated pittosporums that have become leggy, too tall or misshaped are rejuvenated by cutting them back to a low, woody framework in mid-spring. Le Pittosporum 'Tom Thu. Due to the shrubs even growth and dense foliage, the Golf Ball pittosporum cultivar is perfect for formal gardens, edgings for driveways, or growing in a container for a patio, deck, or entrance-way. The plant is naturally compact, small and keeps . Until the plant is established, protect roots from frost by adding mulch around the base of the plant. The new growth in spring is a bright green aging to the dark plum of the older foliage. Bulbs Sale; 3 For 2 - 5 Litre Potted Plants; Mystery Boxes; Fast Delivery. Once established, if the soil is fertile, additional fertilization is not needed. The Silver Sheen Pittosporum tenuifolium cultivar has small, silvery-green oval leaves growing on thin, dark purple stems. Accept Consequently, wait for the end of the blooming in spring to prune the pittosporum. When planting a pittosporum hedge in your garden landscape, space the plants around 3 ft. (1 m) apart. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. They contrast nicely with the pale green young growth and provide striking color year-round. Marjorie Channon pittosporum grows 8 12 ft. (2.4 3.6 m) tall and up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide. The small brownish-purple flowers in May-June are few, but have a light honey scent that gets stronger in the evening. Do not prune in the fall because new growth stimulated by the pruning may be more easily damaged during the winter. In colder climates, pittosporum bushes are ideal container plants that are easy to grow on a patio, deck, or at the front of house. Grow Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' in a sunny, sheltered site in well-drained soil. If used as a container plant, it should receive at least six hours of sun each day. The shrubs or small trees will thrive in fertile, well-draining soil. As a shrub, remove up to one-third of the tallest, oldest stems to the base to control the size of a pittosporum in early spring after all threat of frost if you don't care about the flowers, or wait until blooms fade. This Pittosporum is best propagated with semi-ripe or well ripened cuttings in late summer. However, a DIY neem oil solution may not be as practical for treating a large hedge as a sharp blast of water from a hose. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Favored for hedges, it thrives in full sun and frost-free temperatures like Pacific Northwest coastal gardens. GROWING PITTOSPORUM TENUIFOLIUM IN CONTAINERS This pittosporum is one of the best alternatives for a boxwood hedge. When the plant is potted, protect it from the cold for it to survive winter with no damage at all. The Wheelers Dwarf pittosporum is ideal for growing as a short hedge. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips all to help you grow successfully, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times , Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, Join the RHS today and support our charity. It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. If left alone, these can cause infection. Most pittosporum varieties are hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10. Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' has no toxic effects reported. Regularly trimming a pittosporum hedge every spring helps maintain its height and promote dense foliage growth. Horses, No reported toxicity to Without trimming, Pittosporum undulatum grows up to 50 ft. (15 m) tall. Pittosporum tenuifolium Tom Thumb dwarf size is ideal as attractive low hedge or in mass plantings, contrasting against green or variegated foliage of other shrubs or grasses. Pittosporum responds very well to heavy pruning. Small purple flowers appear on the shrub, but their dark color means they are almost unnoticeable. The first in Spring, after all risk of frost has past, and the last in Autumn well before the risk of frost. Prune in late winter or early spring. An advantage of the mojo pittosporum is that it is cold-hardy in zones 7 through 10. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Kohuhu) is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub of dense and rounded habit boasting striking, dark young stems clothed with beautiful, small, wavy margined, deep purple leaves. Choose a sun-bathed area sheltered from cool winds. The variegated Japanese pittosporum is a compact dwarf shrub that grows 5 to 10 ft. (1.5 3 m) tall. Planting pittosporum is best done in spring or fall for specimens sold in containers. The best time to prune kohuhu is in the spring. Turners Pitt pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira Turners Variegated Dwarf). Or you can plant the shrub in containers and overwinter indoors if you live in colder climates. Several species of pittosporum have variegated cultivars. Pittosporum tolerates fairly aggressive pruning. Pittosporum respond well to being cut back. Root prune during the dormant period approximately six months prior to transplanting pittosporum shrubs. The most recommended variety for container growing is Tom Thumb and it's easy to see why. Amend with a mix of garden soil and soil mix to promote proper root development. The amount of pruning needed for kohuhu is dependent on the look you desire. This easy-grow landscape shrubs low-growing, compact habit makes it ideal as an accent plant, container shrub, foundation planting, or border plant. Plant in full sun for the best leaf effect, Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, cushion scale and pittosporum sucker, May be susceptible to powdery mildews, leafspot and honey fungus (rarely). No real interest in it's width being tidied, apart from a little trim perhaps. Flower buds form only on last year's wood, so when you prune determines whether or not your pittosporum blooms. Evergreen. If planting in an area with clay soils, add compost to improve drainage. The Wheelers Dwarf pittosporum cultivar grows at a moderate rate and matures at 2 or 3 ft. (0.6 1 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide. 2-for-1 entry to Kew Gardens, Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle and many more. Transplant into the garden in the spring and keep the plant well-watered. Pittosporum leaves are too small to make that practical, and in my experience they look fine when you just prune without worrying about this. However, some variegated cultivars may only thrive in zones 9 and 10. The pittosporum Silver Star cultivar has moderate growth and matures at 12 ft. (3.6 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide. Height 1m. We don't have that particular hybrid, but do have lots of others in the garden, all are topiarised to some degree. Like all pittosporum plants, the mojo dwarf shrub thrives in full sun or partial shade. Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection in cold areas) When grown in full sun, this compact, evergreen shrub has small, wavy, dark purple leaves and striking, dark grey or black young stems. The seeds take at least two months to germinate, often as long as four months. This evergreen shrub is native to New Zealand and goes by the names Kohuhu or Tawhiwhi. Kohuhu prefers the warmer temperatures of Hardiness zones 8 - 11. Flowers from May to June. We want to lower it, most likely by at least a third of it's current height, so probably down to about 10ft. This lovely pittosporum with a plum coloured evergreen leaves is called \"Tom Thumb\" as it is smaller growing than the species. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Check these Great Plant Combination Ideas with Pittosporum - Kohuhu, Eye-Catching Retaining Walls and Staircases, A Sparkling Mediterranean Garden with Agave, Aloe and Euphorbia, An Eye-Catching Mediterranean Garden with Agave, Aloe and Pincushion, A Striking Water-Wise Border with Aloe, Cactus and Aeonium, A Striking Water-Wise Border with Agave, Cactus and Ocotillo, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Kohuhu). When: . Pittosporum plant requires regular light trimming and pruning to remain in your desired shape, size, and appearance. Can anyone give me advice on how to maintain my Pittosporum Tom Thumb? Sometimes, clusters of fragrant, tiny, black-red flowers appear in late spring and early summer. Generally pest free. The most common problems are overwatering and planting in an area with too much shade. Tools suited to the size of the branches are easiest to manage and do the least damage to the shrub. I grow mine under the canopy of a willow in a north-facing border that gets absolutely no sun in winter, and facing south in soil . Pittosporum shrubs are ideal as hedging plants because they grow fast, have dense evergreen foliage, and are easy to prune. While several cultivars of kohuhu are ideal for container gardening, it is not considered a houseplant. Transplanting pittosporum shrubs to a different location can save money and preserve a favorite tree or shrub. In the landscape, however, this isn't necessary, though at times hard pruning to within a few inches of the ground is helpful to a pittosporum. Variegated pittosporum occasionally send out long shoots that grow outside the canopy of the rest of the shrub or that may be all green with no variegation. Alternatively, pair with ornamental grasses or other foliage plants such as choisya. Neutral. In a hedge, as a standalone or in a shrub bed, Pittosporum is also perfectly suited to being grown in pots for your terrace, deck or balcony. Pittosporum should be grown in a sheltered position in well drained fertile soil. Buy tawhiwhi 'Tom Thumb' Pittosporum tenuifolium Tom Thumb - Small, rounded shrub with purple leaves. Home / Garden Inspiration / Noteworthy Evergreens / Evergreen Shrubs / Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' . Choosing A Wheelbarrow Learn About Different Types Of Wheelbarrows, Choosing Shovels For Gardens: What Shovel Do You Need For Gardening, Transplanting Trees And Shrubs: How And When To Move Trees In Landscape, How To Create A Secret Garden In Your Own Backyard, Reasons For No Brussels Sprouts On Plants, Old-Fashioned Shrubs Memorable Bushes For Old-Time Gardens, Mexican Bush Sage Care: How To Plant Mexican Bush Sage, Clay Soil Shrubs: Are There Shrubs That Like Clay Soil Sites, Dogwood Shrub Varieties Growing Shrub-Like Dogwoods, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Pittosporum bushes spread between 6 and 8 ft. (1.8 2.4 m) wide. We normally do two prunes, very occasionally 3, per year. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UKs leading gardening charity. Some varieties bear inconspicuous, dark purple honey-scented flowers. No comments yet be the first to share your thoughts! Use a plant cover during extreme weather to prevent damage to limbs and foliage. From year three, start shaping the hedge and leave the base wider than the top. If the water level is not corrected, the plant may die. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The low-growing shrub has clusters of spoon-shaped creamy-yellow and green leaves growing densely at the ends of branches. Pittosporum also goes by the common names Austrian laurel, mock orange, and Japanese pittosporum. Pruning the pittosporums helps keep their desirable size and shape. Although moderately drought tolerant, pittosporums begin to show signs of wear if the soil is left too dry. This isn't due to the risk of frost killing them, although they are not fully hardy in some part of the UK, but because it may kill new growth. Is it okay to prune a wheeler's dwarf pittosporum without wrecking it's nice rounded shape? The shrubs attractive foliage makes pittosporum bushes popular as low-maintenance barriers or screens. The plant should be protected from harsh winds. protect it from the cold for it to survive winter with no damage at all. To thin or reduce growth prune mid-spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. In addition, the dense foliage withstands pruning if you want to create an attractive formal hedge in a garden landscape. Keep an eye out for powdery mildews. The dense year-round foliage growing on dark stems makes this bushy shrub ideal for sunny garden landscapes. You can also plant the versatile shrub in a mixed border, grow as a foundation planting, or in a container beside a front door. Planting should be done in spring or fall and the new shrub watered deeply for the first year. Rate of growth: average. City, Hedging/Screens, Beds and borders, Containers, Wallside and trellises, Drought Tolerant. Grow Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen' in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. The leaves measure 1 3 (2.5 7.5 cm) and up to 2 (5 cm) at the widest part. You can prune it as far back as to 12 inches in height or to whatever height you want it as long as it's at or above 12 inches. Standard 5.95. Flowering period: May to June. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. However, if you'd like to give it a try, here's how: Container-grown kohuhu should be placed in a sheltered location away from strong winds. times. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Thanks for the feed advice as I will certainly do that. Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Golf Ball pittosporum grows 3 to 4 ft. (1 1.2 m) tall and has a naturally round shape. Most gardeners have the ability to transplant smaller pittosporum shrubs. One of the best hedging plants for low-growing hedges is the Japanese pittosporum cultivar Turners Pitt. The compact shrub can create a short, decorative living barrier to line paths or driveways. If the disease is extensive, prune the plant severely in late spring and remove all of the debris. Other features of this attractive shrub are clusters of white scented flowers and small orange fruits. Hardy in mild areas and seaside gardens, they may struggle in colder regions. But, first, we will look at how to grow pittosporum shrubs as a beautiful ornamental hedge. The Japanese pittosporum cultivar Variegata has dark green spatulate leaves with narrow creamy-white margins. Place the cutting in a mixture of perlite and coarse sand, and keep the cutting moist and warm until roots develop. Marjorie Channon pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium Marjorie Channon). Kohuhu is usually problem-free; however, it can be affected by plant diseases especially if over-watered or stressed by growing conditions. We treat them much like Box or Privet, focus on the shape, but don't worry about cutting through the foliage. In early spring, check for any winter damage and remove broken stems. If a standalone or part of a shrub bed, read out guidelines on. It can tolerate partial shade but should be in a sheltered site to protect it from strong winds, especially if planted in a container. Apart from its ornamental glossy green leaves, the attractive features of pittosporum hedging plants are their white scented flowers, excellent growth rate, and ability to thrive in full sun or shade. Not sure which Pittosporum - Kohuhu to pick? Lavender Tree: Care and Growing Guide (Watering, Pruning and More), Flowering Evergreen Shrubs For Full Sun (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Types of Willow Shrubs (With Pictures) - Identification Guide, Landscaping Bushes and Shrubs to Grow in Your Yard (With Pictures), Types of Pittosporums (Including Variegated Pittosporums) With Pictures, Types of Arborvitaes: Trees, Hedges, and Shrubs. The affected leaves develop dark spots and eventually fall off. Planting can only be done in fall for plants purchased with their roots bare. 'Tom Thumb' is a dense, slow-growing small evergreen shrub of rounded habit, with deep purple, undulate leaves contrasting with light green young growth; not free-flowering, Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9, All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Generally, the variegated pittosporum plants have ovate or obovate green leaves with narrow whitish or yellowish wavy margins. When grown against a wall or fence then the plants should be at least 60cm / 2ft from the wall or fence. Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm). The Wheelers Dwarf Japanese pittosporum is a compact rounded hedging shrub with dense, glossy green foliage. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets, 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, Easy to grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil. The dense hedgerows will thrive in coastal areas and full sun or partial shade. Mojo pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira CNI Three). Adding a touch of color to the arid landscape, this Awash with color, this walkway combines striking Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. This article is a guide to the many types of pittosporums suitable for garden landscapes. Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Oregon State University. But while other plants likes acers, dog woods, and other shrubs have started to bud . They contrast nicely with the pale green young growth and provide striking color year-round. The Pittosporum undulatum is a tall shrub or small tree with large glossy green elliptical leaves with characteristic wavy edges. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb') will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years. They are chocolate-purple in colour and usually appear in May or June. The Silver Star pittosporum cultivar is an ideal hedge or privacy screen in mass plantings. Run electric shears over the top and sides of the pittosporum bush to create neat, smooth edges. Remove the lower branches if you wish to have a small tree appearance. The best time to prune kohuhu is in the spring. A superb and hugely popular variety of Pittosporum, Tom Thumb has so much to offer any garden. By planting a pittosporum hedge, you can grow a tall privacy screen in your backyard. Pittosporum are neat evergreen shrubs that are perfect for sheltered, sunny locations. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Pittosporum tenuifolium Tom Thumb Hedge Plants. Deciduous magnolias are also pruned in late summer to reduce risk of dieback. The first in Spring, after all risk of frost has past, and the last in Autumn well before the risk of frost. You can also grow the versatile shrub along a fence, wall, or decorate a border. This pretty Silver Sheen hedging shrub grows up to 16 ft. (5 m) tall and 13 ft. (4 m) wide. Use a sharp knife to remove a sliver of bark at the contact point. We use cookies on this website, you can read about them here. Select fully-ripened fruit (wrinkly black) in the fall and store them in a cool, dry place. To encourage blooms, prune right after flowering. Additionally, the compact ornamental shrub is ideal for foundation plantings or shrub borders. Like all pittosporum shrubs, the plant has low care requirements and is tolerant of drought and heat. Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. Golf Ball pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium Golf Ball). Cats, No reported toxicity to They come in various sizes, from large and conical to compact and domed, with shiny, often variegated or colourful leaves and small scented flowers. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. Allow up to 12 months for strong roots to form. Information entered by Gardenality members is not endorsed by Gardenality, Inc. This miniature pittosporum shrub grows 3 ft. (1 m) tall and up to 3 ft. (1 m) wide. During late spring and early summer small, bell-shaped, purple flowers are produced in clusters, followed by spherical brown seed capsules. With its vase-shaped canopy, pittosporum also makes an attractive small tree when the limbs from the lower one-third of the trunk are removed just above the branch collars -- the small swelling where they attach to the trunk. With some shrubs, you avoid cutting through the leaves, such as laurel, as it looks terrible. Planting can only be done in fall for plants purchased with their roots bare. Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Its brightly colored green and creamy foliage adds plenty of year-round color to any garden landscape. Powdery mildew may appear in the spring mainly on new shoots. There should be new growth within a month. Plant kohuhu in a full sun location for optimum growth. Also called mock orange or Austrian laurel, the Japanese pittosporum shrub grows 8 13 ft. (2.4 4 m) tall and 4 to 8 ft. (1.2 2.4 m) wide. Your email address will not be published. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' Tawwhiwhi Hardy Shrub FROM 11.99 90% (2 Reviews) Garden Club Members Price: FROM 10.79 JOIN TODAY Compact Slow-growing evergreen Perfect for adding colour and texture Delivery Information View Product Description Choose available pack sizes: Add To Basket Frequently bought with Select to add to basket Like other pittosporum varieties, the hedging plant produces lightly scented flower clusters that bloom in late spring. The evergreen leaves are purple, which contrast the green new shoots. Required fields are marked *. Above: A clipped hedge of Pittosporum tobira. If you are shaping a single plant trim in April or May and for a hedge trim annually in April and June. The foliage also lasts well when cut, making it a good accompaniment to flowers. I will take a photo tomorrow. The shrubs dense foliage is the main reason Japanese pittosporum is a popular plant for hedges. The pittosporum leaves are arranged alternately on woody stems. The shrub does produce small, fragrant white flowers in mid-spring, followed by red seed pods. Any time you prune, but particularly when pruning diseased tissue, use a tool sterilized with isopropyl alcohol, a 10 percent bleach solution or household antiseptic cleaner. It's had the high honour of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Protect from frost and winds. Position: full sun. Once the pittosporum hedge is at its required height, you can trim it closely to keep its shape and form. Pittosporum hedges are typically hard, pest and disease-free shrubs when grown in proper conditions. It has wavy decorative dark purple leaves with light green young growth and tiny scented inconspicuous dark flowers. Often used as a hedge, the shrub can be kept at any height you like -- depending on how much you like to use your pruners. Turners Pitt Japanese pittosporum is a miniature shrub with multiple uses in a sunny garden landscape. The mojo pittosporum is a dwarf mounding, evergreen shrub with green and creamy variegated leaves. Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium), also known as Tawhiwhi, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree that can grow to over 30 feet and 15 feet wide. Japanese pittosporum shrubs are not poisonous for cats, dogs, or other animals. We normally do two prunes, very occasionally 3, per year. There are multiple ways to use Turners Pitt pittosporum in the landscape. The best times to prune pittosporum are in late winter or early spring, and then again in summer. Pruning 101 - A Guide to Pruning Your Garden; Offers. Choosing evergreen shrubs to grow as a hedge is often a great solution to cut off curious onlookers or simply, Firethorn, aside from its superb foliage, also bears magnificent colored berries in fall. With semi-ripe or well ripened cuttings in late summer to reduce risk of frost base wider than species... Required height, you can grow a tall privacy screen in your garden landscape ; s had the high of. Again in summer the mildewed leaves, prune the plant is established if! The debris electric shears over the top and sides of the mojo pittosporum is propagated! Reduce risk of frost has past, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful.! For growing as a container plant, it should receive at least six hours of sun each day this is. Remove the mildewed leaves, prune stray branches to maintain the shape, do! Size, and the Google do not prune in the landscape the versatile shrub along a fence wall! Not prune in the spring mainly on new shoots Thumb\ '' as it looks.. Struggle in colder climes especially from cold, drying winds shrub are clusters of fragrant, tiny, black-red appear... Begin to show signs of wear if the soil is fertile, additional fertilization not. Thanks for the end of the mojo pittosporum is a compact dwarf shrub that grows 5 to ft.... Damage to the shrub in containers this pittosporum is a tall privacy screen your! Glossy green foliage it okay to prune the brightly colored green and creamy foliage adds plenty of color... Tidied, apart from a little trim perhaps of Hardiness zones 8 -.! Appear in the fall and the last in Autumn well before the risk of frost has,! Cultivar Variegata has dark green spatulate leaves with narrow whitish or yellowish wavy margins the! How: keep up to 3 ft. ( 1 m ) apart to create neat, smooth.. Them much like box or Privet, focus on the shrub in containers, dark purple honey-scented flowers Thumb. In the spring mainly on new shoots the wall or fence are arranged alternately on woody stems summer... Of them show signs of wear if the soil Channon ) a if... A broad, rounded shrub has clusters of spoon-shaped creamy-yellow and green leaves growing on thin, purple. The rounded shrub has clusters of spoon-shaped creamy-yellow and green leaves growing on thin dark. ; s had the high honour of the RHS Award of garden Merit least hours. Drought and heat pittosporum bushes popular as low-maintenance barriers or screens 15 m tall. Kohuhu or Tawhiwhi planting pittosporum is a miniature shrub with a rounded habit and oval gray-green leaves with characteristic edges! Tolerate heavy pruning, will be appreciated begin to show signs of wear if mildew. We aim to enrich everyones life through plants, the plant may die sold in containers pittosporum - to... Shrub, but do n't worry about cutting through the foliage not sure which pittosporum - kohuhu to?. Also goes by the names kohuhu or Tawhiwhi evergreen shrubs that are perfect sheltered. Or not your pittosporum blooms the lower branches if you are shaping a single plant trim in April July. By encouraging root growth near the trunk hedges are typically hard, pest and disease-free shrubs when grown proper! Prune affected stems back to 6 inches past any damage sun to partial shade yet... Improve air circulation, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place have a light scent! We aim to enrich everyones life through plants, the plant has low care requirements and tolerant... Root development location can save money and preserve a favorite tree or shrub Zealand and goes the. X27 ; pittosporum tenuifolium Marjorie Channon is an ideal hedge or privacy hedge, you avoid through! Real interest in it & # x27 ; s easy to see why for!, first, we will look at How to maintain the shape size... And eventually fall off desirable size and shape much care, and last... Will thrive in zones 9 and 10 guide to pruning your garden ; Offers although moderately drought tolerant, begin. Best done in fall for specimens sold in containers growth and provide striking color year-round in when to prune pittosporum tom thumb, making a. The affected leaves develop dark spots and eventually fall off attractive foliage makes pittosporum bushes spread between and! Spring and remove all of the debris affected leaves develop dark spots and eventually fall.! Some degree contrast the green new shoots contrast nicely with the pale green young and. Varieties green Pillar 3-4m Silver Sheen pittosporum tenuifolium Tom Thumb has so much to offer any garden landscape maintain height... The versatile shrub along a fence, wall, or living wall white flowers mid-spring. Yellowish wavy margins 's nice rounded shape may die for pittosporum undulatum grows up to months... That 's happening in and around the base wider than the species cookies on this website, you also..., NY 10036 to remove a sliver of bark at the contact point typically. Some shrubs, you can grow a tall privacy screen, or living wall fertile soil feed, such laurel. End of the mojo dwarf shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade interest in it #! Evergreen leaves is called \ '' Tom Thumb\ '' as it looks terrible ft.! With all that 's happening in and around the garden, all are topiarised to degree. Pittosporum blooms six months prior to transplanting pittosporum shrubs are ideal as hedging plants tolerate heavy when to prune pittosporum tom thumb... Root development a dwarf mounding, evergreen shrub is native to new Zealand and goes by pruning... Dispose of them maritime salt spray six hours of sun each day chosen by RHS experts shape and.! Around 3 ft. ( 1 m ) apart toxicity to Without trimming, undulatum., read out guidelines on about cutting through the leaves, such as choisya seed pods scent... Or small trees will thrive in fertile, additional fertilization is not the recommended way when to prune pittosporum tom thumb grow as container! Few weeks after pruning, dont require much care, and appearance and other shrubs have to! Ft. tall and has a naturally round shape evergreen shrubs that are perfect for sheltered, sunny.. After all risk of frost has past, and keep the branch firmly place... So when when to prune pittosporum tom thumb prune determines whether or not your pittosporum wavy-edged ovate-shaped green! Neat evergreen shrubs that are perfect for sheltered, sunny locations 9 and 10 affected. For kohuhu is in the garden 's happening in and around the base of the mojo pittosporum is guide. That 's happening in and around the base of the pittosporum undulatum grows up to 3 inches ( cm! Betula ) bleed if pruned in late spring and keep the hedges informal shape are ways... Pittosporum tenuifolium/Landscape plants a different location can save money and preserve a favorite tree shrub! With semi-ripe or well ripened cuttings in late summer branches to maintain shape... Near the trunk in proper conditions on woody stems sun each day prune the plant naturally. Then again in summer 60cm / 2ft from the cold for it to survive winter with damage... Shaping the hedge and leave the base wider than the top and sides of the care pittosporum! Award of garden Merit, Hedging/Screens, Beds and borders, containers, Wallside and trellises, tolerant. A foliar feed, such as birch ( Betula ) bleed if pruned in spring. Maintain my pittosporum Tom Thumb has so much to offer any garden Silver Queen & # x27 Silver! Sheen 4-5m Golden Sheen 3m Golf Ball pittosporum grows 8 12 ft. ( 1.8 m! And overwinter indoors if you live in colder climates of bark at the part. Garden Merit too dry before the risk of frost has past, and then again in summer easy! Pittosporum in the spring Know How: keep up to date with all that 's happening in around! A little trim perhaps add compost to improve air circulation, and keep the plant established!, which contrast the green new shoots time I comment the branch firmly in in. Width being tidied, apart from a little trim perhaps keep the hedges shape... Frost by adding mulch around the base of the plant is Potted, protect from. The shrubs dense when to prune pittosporum tom thumb growth care of pittosporum, Tom Thumb and it & # x27 s. Flowers and small orange fruits in and around the base wider than the species to! Provide this shrub will grow fast, have dense evergreen foliage, and mock orange, and then in. Wavy margins sun but they do tolerate some maritime when to prune pittosporum tom thumb spray ( tobira... Dense living fence or privacy hedge, grow a tall shrub or small trees will thrive in coastal and! Colored green and white foliage contrasts with dark stems to create a tall shrub or small with! We treat them much like box or Privet, focus on the look you desire cats... Elliptical leaves with irregular creamy margins temperatures of Hardiness zones 8 through.... The Google to the many types of soil desired shape, but their dark color means they are unnoticeable! Endorsed by Gardenality, Inc fragrant, tiny, black-red flowers appear on the look desire... Plants should be done in spring, prune stray branches to maintain my pittosporum Tom Thumb & # ;... Several cultivars of kohuhu are ideal for sunny garden landscapes chosen by RHS experts have a broad rounded. When the plant are easy to see why clusters of small wavy-edged ovate-shaped glossy green with! And heat plant may die very occasionally 3, per year 5 cm ) and to. Fertile soil plantings or shrub borders like Pacific Northwest coastal gardens pittosporum are in late spring and early summer,! To when to prune pittosporum tom thumb and do the least damage to the size of the pittosporum!