Pittosporum crassifolium
karo
An evergreen, dense, bushy shrub or small tree with oblong, dark green leaves felted white-grey beneath. Clusters of small, fragrant, deep red to purple flowers are borne in spring
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Pittosporaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- 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
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In areas prone to frosts grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost. A good screen or shelterbelt for mild, coastal areas
Propagation
Propagate by budding in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, cushion scale and pittosporum sucker
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and a leaf spot
Get involved
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