Pittosporum tenuifolium

This versatile and elegant evergreen shrub is a staple for adding structure, texture, and year-round interest to the garden. It is celebrated for its striking contrast of colors, featuring small, leathery, oval leaves with distinctively wavy margins. These pale green to deep olive leaves are held on dramatic, dark purple-black stems, creating a sophisticated appearance. During late Spring and early Summer, the shrub produces clusters of tiny, honey-scented, dark purple flowers. While these blooms are small and often hidden beneath the dense foliage, their sweet, vanilla-like fragrance carries beautifully on the warm evening air. With its naturally neat, rounded, and bushy habit, it makes a great specimen plant, an excellent backdrop for a sunny border, or a dense and stylish privacy hedge. Pittosporum tenuifolium is particularly well-suited to the Irish climate, especially in coastal regions where the mild, maritime air prevents severe frost damage. It handles regular clipping exceptionally well, making it a favorite for topiary or for keeping as a crisp, low-maintenance hedge.

Site: Tolerates coastal winds
Soil: Prefers well-drained
Position: Full sun to part shade
Season of Interest: Evergreen, Summer flowers
Hardiness: Hardy to -10°C
Height: 13-26ft (4-8m) Spread: 8-13ft (2.5-4m) in 10-20 years if unpruned