Variegated Tarata

A big, variegated Pittosporum for very mild areas and larger gardens, Pittosporum tenuifolium Eugenioides Variegatum is a large, rather slow-growing, evergreen shrub with dark young stems. The leaves are small, ovoid, leathery and mid-green, with an irregular, creamy white edging. In early summer, terminal clusters of small, pale yellow, fragrant flowers appear. This shrub is good in a very mild cottage or low-maintenance garden or in wallside borders. Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings on the current season’s growth in summer, using bottom heat. It needs pruning – RHS Pruning Group 8. Variegated tarata holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered from cold, drying winds
Soil: Any moderately fertile, light, moist but well-drained, or well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year, early summer in particular
Hardiness: Hardy to 1 to -5ºC
Height:  13-26’ (4-8m) Spread: 8-13’ (2.5-4m)  in 10-20 years