Pittosporum
KohuhuTawhiwhi
Kohuhu
A fine evergreen for mild and coastal gardens; in cold inland gardens give it shelter.
Care
Sun to part shade, sheltered from cold, drying winds; coloured-leaf forms colour best in sun.
Low-medium — water well until established.
Well-drained, reasonably fertile soil.
Trim in late spring and again in late summer if grown as a hedge or topiary; avoid cutting late in the year when new growth is frost-tender.
A balanced feed or compost mulch in spring.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MayFirst trim of hedges and shapes. how ›
- AugustSecond light trim if needed. how ›
- DecemberProtect young plants in cold spells in exposed gardens. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Brown leaves after a cold winter.
What to do. Wait until late spring and cut out dead growth; it often regrows.
How to spot it. Distorted young leaves.
What to do. Cosmetic; trim off.
How to spot it. Bumps on stems, sooty mould.
What to do. Wipe off on small plants.
Japanese pittosporumTobira
Japanese pittosporum
The classic Mediterranean hedge with orange-blossom-scented flowers; in Britain best in mild, coastal or city gardens.
Care
Full sun to part shade; very wind- and salt-tolerant.
Low once established; drought-tolerant.
Any well-drained soil, including sandy coastal soil.
Clip hedges after flowering in early summer; it takes hard pruning well.
A balanced feed in spring for hedges and pots.
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- JuneClip after flowering. how ›
- JulyCheck for scale insects and aphids on new shoots.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- JuneClip after flowering. how ›
- JulyCheck for scale insects and aphids on new shoots.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MayClip after flowering. how ›
- JulyCheck for scale insects and aphids on new shoots.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MayClip after flowering. how ›
- JulyCheck for scale insects and aphids on new shoots.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Bumps on stems, black film on leaves.
What to do. Wash off; encourage predators.
How to spot it. Browned leaves in cold winters.
What to do. Borderline hardy away from the coast; give shelter.
Questions
Pittosporum: is it hardy?
Kohuhu: H4: Hardy through an average UK winter. It survives down to −10 °C. Japanese pittosporum: H3: Half hardy. It survives down to −5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Kohuhu: Yes — especially dwarf forms. Japanese pittosporum: Yes.
Pittosporum: when do you prune it?
Kohuhu: Trim in late spring and again in late summer if grown as a hedge or topiary; avoid cutting late in the year when new growth is frost-tender. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in May, August. Japanese pittosporum: Clip hedges after flowering in early summer; it takes hard pruning well. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in June.
Pittosporum: when does it flower?
Kohuhu: In the climate of UK it flowers in May–June. Japanese pittosporum: In the climate of UK it flowers in April–June.
When do you feed it?
Kohuhu: A balanced feed or compost mulch in spring. Feeding months, UK: April. Japanese pittosporum: A balanced feed in spring for hedges and pots. Feeding months, UK: April.