When planting dwarf pittosporum, it is best to space the plants 2 to 4 feet apart. The way you space the plants will depend on how large you want your hedge or landscaping design to be. If you’re aiming for a low hedge, then keeping plants closer together (2-3 feet apart) will create a fuller and thicker hedge.
If you want a more open and airy look, then you can space the plants further apart (3-4 feet). Additionally, it is recommended to have a minimum of 3 dwarfs pittosporum to start a hedge.
Is there a dwarf pittosporum?
Yes, there is a dwarf pittosporum. This evergreen shrub, native to New Zealand, can reach around four feet in both height and width. It is an attractive shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and in its native environment will produce small, brown-black seed pods containing a sticky resin.
In cultivation, it needs protection from frost and will often remain small, making it ideal for smaller gardens or areas where space is at a premium. It also prefers a sheltered position as it can easily become damaged by strong winds and can grow best in partial shade or shaded areas of the garden.
It makes a great screening option and can be pruned back each year to help keep its size contained.
Will dwarf pittosporum grow in shade?
Dwarf pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’) is an evergreen shrub that can be grown in partial shade. It can handle some morning sun and will do okay in areas that gets some dappled sunlight throughout the day, but can struggle in areas that are completely shady.
It will typically grow faster and have a fuller growth habit in areas that have bright, indirect sunlight. Dwarf pittosporum can tolerate light amounts of shade, but not extended periods. The shrub will also generally handle more sun exposure in cooler climates, but less sun exposure in areas that are especially hot and humid.
If planted in overly shady areas, it may not grow as quickly as anticipated or the leaves may become yellow and faded looking. Keeping the plant in an area that gets some light would be the best option for its health and growth rate.
Which pittosporum is best?
The best pittosporum variety depends on your specific needs. For example, if you’re looking for a shrub that provides year-round color, Variegatus is an excellent choice. It has vibrant, lush green foliage with bright yellow margins that stands up exceptionally well during the winter.
Columnare is another popular variety that can be trained to form an elegant, rounded column shape. It’s an excellent choice if you want a pittosporum that stays relatively low to the ground. For landscaping hedges and topiaries, Saundersii is the go-to variety.
It’s a great choice for outdoor spaces since it can handle a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. Regardless of which pittosporum variety you choose, it is important to give it plenty of space to spread and enough sun to develop its full foliage potential.
With some basic maintenance and a proper environment, your pittosporum will be a beautiful addition to your home for many years to come.
Can you keep pittosporum in pots?
Yes, you can keep pittosporum in pots. It is a versatile plant that thrives in containers and can make a great addition to your landscape. When selecting a pot for your pittosporum, make sure it is slightly larger than the root-ball of the plant and has good drainage.
Be sure to use a potting soil mixture formulated specifically for container plants and make sure it is kept moist at all times. Your plant should be placed in an area that gets full sun or partial shade and be given regular fertilizer applications during the growing season.
While pittosporum can survive in most climates, it is important to protect it during cold winters, especially when planted in containers. With proper care, your pittosporum can bring texture, beauty and provide low-maintenance color to your landscape.
Does a pittosporum need a lot of water?
No, a pittosporum does not need a lot of water. In fact, pittosporums are fairly drought tolerant and can survive with only infrequent watering. Depending on the age of the tree and the soil conditions, a pittosporum may only need to be watered every few weeks or even every month or two.
Generally speaking, you should only need to water your pittosporum if the soil is dry; if the soil is still damp, there is no need to add additional water. If you do need to water your pittosporum, it is best to give it a deep, thorough watering to saturate the soil and allow it to penetrate down to the tree’s roots.
Over-watering can be detrimental to a pittosporum, so it is important to only water when needed and ensure that the soil is not waterlogged.
How do I reduce the size of my pittosporum?
The best way to reduce the size of a pittosporum is by trimming it. This includes removal of dead, diseased or damaged branches, as well as selection pruning, to reduce the size of the entire plant. When selecting branches to trim, make sure to remove branches that are naturally denser and cross-crossing, as these can become tangled and create weak spots.
Trim back branches by one-third at a time, until the desired size is achieved. Make sure to not leave any jagged ends and smooth out any remaining stubs with pruning shears. In addition, water your pittosporum regularly to maintain its health, which will also help to promote strong growth, and gradually reduce the size.
Can pittosporum be cut back hard?
Yes, Pittosporum can be cut back hard. This evergreen shrub is extremely resilient and can tolerate hard pruning when needed. When cutting back Pittosporum, it is important to use sharp pruning shears and cut to the desired shape.
This evergreen can be pruned at any time of the year and any size branch can be safely removed. Because of its hardy nature, it can be pruned to almost any shape or size. Some gardeners choose to cut the shrub back to the ground at the beginning of the growing season to promote new, healthy growth.
When pruning, it is best to aim for an overall natural shape that fits into the planting space. Pittosporum can also be sheared if desired to maintain a low, mounded shape.
Can you hard prune pittosporum UK?
Yes, you can hard prune Pittosporum in the UK. Hard pruning helps to maintain the shape of the plant and encourages new, healthy growth. It also helps to remove older, dead branches that can make the plant look untidy.
When hard pruning Pittosporum, you should start by removing any dead, dying, diseased or damaged branches. You should then remove any weak, overcrowded, unbalanced or crossed branches. When cutting, make sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears and make sure not to leave any stubs.
Pruning in the fall can help to limit plant growth and control the size of your Pittosporum during the cooler months. Finally, after pruning, it is important to clean any tools and avoid any wounds on the plant, as they can attract pests or cause infection.
Where is the place to plant pittosporum?
Pittosporum is an evergreen shrub that is easy to take care of and makes a great addition to any landscape. It is ideal to plant pittosporum in well-drained soils and in areas that receive full sun to partial shade.
Pittosporum does not tolerate extended periods of wet soil, so it is important to choose a spot that does not get overly soggy. Pittosporum can also thrive in container gardens and can easily be shaped and pruned to fit nearly any garden design.
When selecting a spot to plant pittosporum, be sure to choose a spot that meets the light and soil preferences of the shrub and allows plenty of room for growth.
How much space does pittosporum need?
Pittosporum needs ample space to grow and reach its potential, as this fast-growing evergreen shrub can reach heights of up to 15 feet, and widths of six to eight feet. It’s a good idea to plant it away from foot traffic, allowing for enough room between the plant and pathways.
Additionally, if the plant is to be pruned and maintained to keep it within a certain size and shape over the years, it will require additional space. Pittosporum is a great hedge or privacy screen, and with enough space, it will thrive and provide a great addition to the garden.
Does pittosporum like sun?
Pittosporum, also known as Japanese mock orange, is a shrub or small tree that grows in many parts of the world. Generally speaking, most varieties of pittosporum prefer full sun to partial shade. However, some species are more tolerant of shade than others.
When planting your pittosporum, it’s important to research the specific variety you’re working with in order to find out how much sun it needs and whether it prefers morning sun or afternoon sun. Full sun-loving varieties typically need 6-8 hours of sunlight each day to truly thrive.
In the hottest parts of the country, it’s best to plant these plants on the east or north side of a structure, so that the plants don’t get too much direct sun. Pittosporum also should not be planted near a large evergreen tree, as the lack of air circulation can cause disease or pest problems.
In shadier areas, pittosporum plants should be placed on the west or south side of a structure so they can take advantage of additional afternoon sun.
What looks good with pittosporum?
Pittosporum, also known as “the Australian laurel,” is an evergreen shrub with a glossy texture and deep green foliage that creates an attractive presence in any garden. It is a great choice for ornamental hedges, borders, or containers, as it can be easily shaped and groomed for a landscape with a finished look.
Pittosporum looks particularly attractive when planted alongside other specimen plants and shrubs of varied textures and heights. Low-growing ground covers, such as spreading junipers or compact euonymous, can be planted at the base of the Pittosporum to add visual interest and contrast.
Evergreen shrubs such as photinia, hollies, rhodedendrons, and viburnums can be planted alongside it to create a beautiful backdrop. Taller shrubs with different leaves, like bayberries, myrtles, and wax myrtle, are also great options.
To add pops of vibrant color to compliment the pittosporum, plant bright flowering perennials or annuals such as daisies, begonias, salvia, and violets. As Pittosporum will thrive in both full sun or lightly shaded areas, other shade loving tropical plants such as ferns or hostas could be implemented to create a naturalistic feel and texture.
Combinations of plants with different shapes, sizes, and colors will create an eye-catching, contrasting look that will make the Pittosporum stand out and be the star of the landscape.
Why are my pittosporum dying?
First, it could be due to a lack of adequate water. Pittosporums prefer moist, well-drained soils, so if the soil around the plants is too dry, it can cause them to suffer and eventually die from dehydration.
Additionally, pests and diseases can kill pittosporums if they’re not treated promptly and correctly. Aphids, spider mites, scale, and powdery mildew are common problems that can affect pittosporums, so checking the plants regularly for signs of pests is important.
Poor air circulation can also be problematic, as it can lead to fungal problems and can stunt or stop the plant’s growth. The plants should be spaced out enough to allow air to flow freely around them.
Finally, if you’ve recently moved the plants or changed their environment significantly, they may be struggling to adapt and this could be the cause of their decline. Checking if the plants have enough sun and shade, as well as assessing their soil levels, can help to determine the problem and solve it quickly.