Pittosporum Irene Paterson

A favourite of garden designers, Pittosporum tenuifolium Irene Paterson is a small, slow-growing, evergreen shrub with a bushy, rounded habit, grown for its lovely, variegated foliage. The wavy-edged leaves open cream and develop cream marbling and mid-ribs over green, occasionally tinted pink in winter. If the plant is clipped over in late summer, fresh growth of cream leaves appears, making a patch of light to revive tired-looking parts of the garden. In May and June, small, insignificant, deep purple, honey-scented flowers appear. Also known as kohuhu or tawhiwhi, Pittosporum Irene Paterson is an excellent evergreen foliage plant, good in seaside and other mild areas. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any light, well drained soil, preferably moist
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: All year, particularly late spring and early summer
Hardiness: Frost-hardy
Height: 4’ (1.2m) Spread: 4’ (1.2m)