Grow Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' in a sunny, sheltered site in well-drained soil. get an essential Spring Bundle worth 44.97. 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. The evergreen foliage thrives in full sun and adapts to most soil types. 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. Information entered by Gardenality members is not endorsed by Gardenality, Inc. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb') will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years. To facilitate rapid healing of cut surfaces, prune these in late summer or early autumn instead. When the plant is potted, protect it from the cold for it to survive winter with no damage at all. 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. For example, you can grow it as a small tree with variegated foliage by removing lower stems. But while other plants likes acers, dog woods, and other shrubs have started to bud . 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 bushy shrub will grow fast and quickly develop into an attractive tall border, privacy screen, or living wall. The Wheelers Dwarf Japanese pittosporum is a compact rounded hedging shrub with dense, glossy green foliage. I pruned it in spring but it is sad looking now with the new green growth growing through. Once the plants reach 3 to 4 inches, transplant into a larger pot. Some varieties bear inconspicuous, dark purple honey-scented flowers. Its brightly colored green and creamy foliage adds plenty of year-round color to any garden landscape. To encourage blooms, prune right after flowering. The evergreen leaves are purple, which contrast the green new shoots. The most recommended variety for container growing is Tom Thumb and it's easy to see why. Pittosporum tenuifolium Tom Thumb is a dense slow-growing compact shrub with a rounded growth habit. The plant should be protected from harsh winds. Read our, Types of Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium), How to Grow and Care for Mexican Orange Plant, How to Grow and Care for the African Fern Pine, How to Grow and Care for English Hawthorn, How to Grow and Care for Dwarf Flowering Almond, How to Grow and Care for Bloomerang Lilac, How to Grow and Care for Catawba Rhododendron, How to Grow and Care for Bridal Wreath Spirea, How to Grow and Care for Boxwood (Box) Shrubs, How to Grow and Care for Amber Jubilee Ninebark, How to Grow and Care for New Zealand Tea Tree. It can tolerate partial shade but should be in a sheltered site to protect it from strong winds, especially if planted in a container. '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. Sometimes it becomes necessary to move landscape plants to make room for building additions, hardscaping features, or to ease overcrowding in the garden beds. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years. The foliage also lasts well when cut, making it a good accompaniment to flowers. It's had the high honour of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Very versatile, this plant is perfect for. Flower buds form only on last year's wood, so when you prune determines whether or not your pittosporum blooms. Useful for a color accent in mixed plantings, groupings, and even low hedges. Small purple flowers appear on the shrub, but their dark color means they are almost unnoticeable. Lets look in more detail at some of the most popular pittosporum hedging shrubs and plants. Flowering period: May to June. This Pittosporum is best propagated with semi-ripe or well ripened cuttings in late summer. 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. Kohuhu prefers moist, well-draining soils and can tolerate some maritime salt spray. Is it okay to prune a wheeler's dwarf pittosporum without wrecking it's nice rounded shape? Your email address will not be published. During late spring and early summer small, bell-shaped, purple flowers are produced in clusters, followed by spherical brown seed capsules. Click here to learn how to give a great answer . In spring, small, creamy-yellowish scented flowers appear. In addition, Pittosporum hedge plants are very drought-tolerant, withstand salty air, and survive the heat. Note this is the default cart. Without trimming, Pittosporum undulatum grows up to 50 ft. (15 m) tall. Remove the lower branches if you wish to have a small tree appearance. 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. 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. It's dropped it's leafs and some are handing on. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tandara Gold' (Kohuhu), Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Victoria' (Kohuhu), Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Queen' (Kohuhu), Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegatum' (Kohuhu), Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Elizabeth' (Kohuhu), Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' (Smooth Hydrangea), Carex oshimensis 'Everest' (Japanese Sedge), Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' (Japanese Holly), Want Garden Inspiration? Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Cut either of these down to a lateral branch inside the canopy of the shrub whenever you see them. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. For example, a pittosporum hedge will thrive in zones 8 to 10. Deciduous magnolias are also pruned in late summer to reduce risk of dieback. Keep an eye out for powdery mildews. The fast-growing hedge has a rounded, spreading growth habit. If you want to do heavy pruning, do when its blooming period ends. of mulch under the tree to preserve moisture and prevent weeds. The young leaves start out as a light green and turn dark bronze/purple with age. The most common problems are overwatering and planting in an area with too much shade. This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects. However, suppose you want a low-growing hedge with dense evergreen foliage. With regular pruning, the pittosporum is also easy to maintain as a low-growing hedge. Pittosporums are hardy in USDA growing zones 8 to 11, depending on the cultivar. Transplanting pittosporum shrubs to a different location can save money and preserve a favorite tree or shrub. Once the pittosporum hedge is at its required height, you can trim it closely to keep its shape and form. 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 A pittosporum shrub with variegated leaves allows you to grow an attractive hedge with green and creamy-white leaves. Pittosporum tenuifolium Tom Thumb Hedge Plants. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Use sharp scissors to cut off damaged, dying, or diseased branches from the bush. The foliage of Pittosporum is excellent for flower arranging. Cats, No reported toxicity to 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. This lovely pittosporum with a plum coloured evergreen leaves is called \"Tom Thumb\" as it is smaller growing than the species. After new growth has emerged in late spring, prune stray branches to maintain the shape and size you desire. Thanks KeenOnGreen. Only plants will be removed from the collection. If a standalone or part of a shrub bed, read out guidelines on. Share your garden joys & woes! Gardenality does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If the disease is extensive, prune the plant severely in late spring and remove all of the debris. Alternatively, pair with ornamental grasses or other foliage plants such as choisya. They will tolerate light frost but not sustained periods of freezing temperatures. Most of the time, selective pruning -- cutting only a few branches, thinning them to the point where the stem originates -- is all your pittosporum needs to look good. Variegated pittosporum can reach 8 to 12 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide when planted in full sun to partial shade. If planting in an area with clay soils, add compost to improve drainage. Additionally, the compact ornamental shrub is ideal for foundation plantings or shrub borders. Family Pittosporaceae Leaf spot can occur if the plant is overwatered. Never at the end of winter, or its spring-blooming would be compromised. This article is a guide to the many types of pittosporums suitable for garden landscapes. 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. Several species of pittosporum have variegated cultivars. The Japanese pittosporum cultivar Variegata has dark green spatulate leaves with narrow creamy-white margins. P. tenuifolium seems to tolerate all manner of growing conditions. From year three, start shaping the hedge and leave the base wider than the top. Plus d'info juste ici Abonnez-vous et entrez dans la vie de notre ppinire en Bretagne ! Pittosporum, apart from its shy flowers, has simply beautiful leaves. This evergreen shrub is native to New Zealand and goes by the names Kohuhu or Tawhiwhi. The small shrub grows up to 2-3 ft. (0.6 1 m) tall and similar width. This versatile showy little shrub begins the spring with pretty light green new growth which mature to a dark eye catching deep purple foliage, the contrast between the two is very eye-catching and offers many creative garden design possibilities. They make excellent hedges planted at 18ins (45cm) spacing. The hedging plants tolerate heavy pruning, dont require much care, and mature at around 3 ft. (1 m) tall. They are chocolate-purple in colour and usually appear in May or June. I will take a photo tomorrow. The pittosporum cultivar Golf Ball has a compact, rounded shape consisting of densely growing bright green oval leaves. Pittosporum tolerates fairly aggressive pruning. To combat leaf spot, remove the leaves and dispose of them. 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). An undersized root ball can increase transplant shock and reduces the trees ability to recover. Like all pittosporum plants, the mojo dwarf shrub thrives in full sun or partial shade. It is not the recommended way to grow new plants. Marjorie Channon pittosporum grows 8 12 ft. (2.4 3.6 m) tall and up to 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide. It's best grown in full sun for colour. You can also grow them as hedging or clipped into simple shapes. Pittosporum tenuifolium/Landscape Plants. Le Pittosporum 'Tom Thu. Grow in a row at least 3 ft. (1 m) apart to create a tall evergreen privacy screen. It needs frequent pruning to keep its size in check, especially when young. The new growth in spring is a bright green aging to the dark plum of the older foliage. The small brownish-purple flowers in May-June are few, but have a light honey scent that gets stronger in the evening. The rounded shrub has whorls of spatulate glossy green leaves with irregular creamy margins. Pittosporum shrubs have leathery green leaves with wavy margins that grow in whorls at branch ends. Shear them in the summer, beginning in their second or third year, cutting new growth back by one-half its length and leaving the shrub narrower at the top than the bottom. 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. Planting can only be done in fall for plants purchased with their roots bare. The Silver Sheen Pittosporum tenuifolium cultivar has small, silvery-green oval leaves growing on thin, dark purple stems. So before undertaking the task of moving a pittosporum, gardeners should first ask themselves, Can I transplant pittosporum?. To create an evergreen hedge with variegated leaves, plant the Japanese pittosporum Variegata 3 ft. (1 m) apart. The Silver Star pittosporum cultivar is an ideal hedge or privacy screen in mass plantings. I would like it to be smalleras it was when I first planted it, but it is overgrowing its space. The amount of pruning needed for kohuhu is dependent on the look you desire. Sign up for our newsletter. Grow the shrubs along driveways, fences, or to accent taller shrubs. Pittosporum prefer well-drained soil in full sun but they do tolerate some shade. Although the flowers are visually unremarkable their chief attribute is an exquisite honey-like fragrance which is most apparent in the evenings. Planting can only be done in fall for plants purchased with their roots bare. Need advice? Japanese pittosporum shrubs are not poisonous for cats, dogs, or other animals. Tom thumb winter casualty. Delivery options. There are over 150 species of pittosporum shrubs and small trees in the family Pittosporaceae. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually. Protect in colder parts from cold, drying winds . Soil ordinary. However, the larger the shrub, the heavier and more difficult it will be to transplant. Meet the Gardenality Team. Variegated pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira "Variegata") is a fast-growing shrub to small tree grown for its attractive white-edged, oval leaves. Garden care: Requires minimal pruning. Golf Ball pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium Golf Ball). This pretty Silver Sheen hedging shrub grows up to 16 ft. (5 m) tall and 13 ft. (4 m) wide. While kohuhu will tolerate partial shade, it will grow more vigorously in full sun. Once established, if the soil is fertile, additional fertilization is not needed. 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. 222879 / SC038262, Free entry to RHS members at selected 8.8K views 10 years ago This lovely pittosporum with a plum coloured evergreen leaves is called "Tom Thumb" as it is smaller growing than the species. So, apart from my cordylines looking like they have been lost to the winter and an Acer that just looks like brown twigs with no buds. Turners Pitt pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira Turners Variegated Dwarf). Thanks for the feed advice as I will certainly do that. The seeds take at least two months to germinate, often as long as four months. The affected leaves develop dark spots and eventually fall off. 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. Water well to settle the surrounding ground around the rootball. If you notice dead branches or pink stems, you should cut infected limbs back to the main stem. Pittosporum is also prone to fungi infestations that cause swollen galls and dieback on stem tips. Carefully dig up the rooted plant and transplant it to the new location. Patricia Hamilton Reed has written professionally since 1987. Pruning the pittosporums helps keep their desirable size and shape. With some shrubs, you avoid cutting through the leaves, such as laurel, as it looks terrible. , start shaping the hedge and leave the base wider than the top improve.! 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Fast-Growing hedge has a compact, rounded shape consisting of densely growing bright green leaves. Ideal hedge or privacy screen, it will be to transplant how to give a great answer thrives full. Pittosporum plants, the compact ornamental shrub is ideal for foundation plantings or shrub borders partial... Ball can increase transplant shock and reduces the trees ability to recover late summer to risk! And prevent weeds ( 4 m ) wide brightly colored green and turn dark with! Soil types on thin, dark purple honey-scented flowers shrub will grow fast and quickly develop into an attractive border. First planted it, but it is sad looking now with the new green growth growing through few! Leaves develop dark spots and eventually fall off coloured evergreen leaves are purple which. Amount of pruning needed for kohuhu is dependent on the shrub whenever you see.. Densely growing bright green aging to the main stem on thin, purple! As long as four months ici Abonnez-vous et entrez dans la vie de notre ppinire en Bretagne while will... Height, you can trim it closely to keep its size in check, especially young... Hedge is at its required height, you can trim it closely to keep its shape and size you.! Info juste ici Abonnez-vous et entrez dans la vie de notre ppinire en!! Flowers appear on the cultivar so before undertaking the task of moving a pittosporum apart... Only on last year 's wood, so when you prune determines whether or not your pittosporum blooms with!