From silvery greens edged in cream to deep, glossy purple, pittosporum leaves offer a lot of interest for something that’s on show every day of the year. The variegated forms can brighten a dull corner, while the darker cultivars add depth and contrast around lighter plants. Because the colour comes from the foliage rather than flowers, it’s there through all seasons – a soft backdrop in winter, and a foil for flowers and grasses through spring and summer.
Common name: New Zealand Pittosporum
Latin name: Pittosporum
Size in UK gardens: Most garden forms make 1–3m tall, bushy shrubs over time; compact varieties sit around 1m, while vigorous types can reach 3–4m in mild, sheltered spots if left unpruned.
Best position: Full sun or light shade in a sheltered spot; coloured and variegated foliage gives its best show in good light.
Soil: Any reasonably fertile, moist but well‑drained soil, from improved clay to light sand – they dislike waterlogged ground but cope with a wide range of textures if drainage is decent.
Main interest: Evergreen foliage in shades of green, silver, cream or purple, often with wavy or variegated leaves, plus small honey‑scented deep purple flowers in late spring and early summer on many forms.
Fragrance: Flowers are sweetly, if quietly, honey‑scented at close quarters – a pleasant extra, but these shrubs are grown mainly for foliage and structure.
Hardiness: Generally hardy in milder parts of the UK (roughly RHS H4–H5) if grown in well‑drained soil and shelter from the coldest winds; young plants and more tender types may need a little winter protection in colder spots.
Care level: Easy to moderate – once established they’re fairly tough and drought‑tolerant, but they do appreciate a sheltered site, good drainage and a little light trimming to keep their shape.
The Simpson’s team raises the majority of our trees here at the nursery. For varieties outside our own production, we work with independent local growers we trust - all chosen for UK climate suitability.
Planting time: As container‑grown shrubs, pittosporums can be planted in most months when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, with spring and early autumn usually giving the quickest, least stressful establishment.
Watering: Water well through the first growing season and in dry spells for the next year or two, so the rootball and surrounding soil don’t dry right out. Once established, they are reasonably drought‑tolerant but will drop older leaves in very hot, dry weather if neglected.
Feeding: In the ground, a spring mulch of compost or well‑rotted manure is usually enough. On very poor soils or for hard‑worked hedges, a light sprinkling of a balanced, slow‑release fertiliser in spring can help maintain good leaf colour and steady growth.
Pruning: Lightly trim from mid‑spring to late summer to keep hedges and shapes neat – usually one to three clips a year is plenty. Avoid heavy pruning late in the season, so new growth has time to harden before winter.
Winter: In mild, sheltered gardens pittosporums usually overwinter well with no more than a mulch on lighter soils. In colder or more exposed spots, young plants and tender varieties benefit from extra shelter, good drainage and, in very severe spells, a temporary fleece wrap.
Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.
A smart, evergreen pittosporum with a naturally tidy habit and a fresh, coastal feel, perfect for bringing structure to borders all year. It’s excellent in pots and sheltered gardens, where the foliage provides that clean, composed look. A great choice for contemporary planting with grasses and pale stone.
A beautifully coloured pittosporum with warm, creamy variegation that lifts borders through every season. New growth often flushes softly, adding extra interest, and the evergreen form stays neat and well kept. Perfect for pots by steps and patios, or as a bright accent among darker shrubs.
A bright, variegated pittosporum with golden markings that act like little highlights in the border, especially valuable in winter. It’s ideal for pots and front-of-border planting where foliage colour matters, and it looks particularly crisp against darker evergreens and brickwork for a polished finish.
A tidy evergreen with a refined, well-mannered look, bringing year-round structure and a clean texture that suits modern gardens beautifully. It’s excellent for pots, low screening, and mixed borders, where it provides a calm framework and makes neighbouring plants look more deliberate.
A tidy evergreen with a refined, well-mannered look, bringing year-round structure and a clean texture that suits modern gardens beautifully. It’s excellent for pots, low screening, and mixed borders, where it provides a calm framework and makes neighbouring plants look more deliberate.
A naturally rounded, compact pittosporum that forms neat, ball-like shapes with very little effort—ideal for giving borders that “designed” look. Perfect in pots and along paths, or used in repetition through gravel planting for rhythm and structure that stays smart all year.
A compact, garden-friendly pittosporum with a neat habit and attractive evergreen foliage that brings a slightly coastal, windswept feel. Excellent in pots and sunny borders, where it adds structure and texture without bulk. It pairs beautifully with grasses and other low shrubs for a clean, contemporary look.
A handsome evergreen with softly variegated foliage—grey-green with creamy margins—that brightens borders year-round. It’s perfect as a feature shrub or in pots, where the foliage colour can be appreciated up close. Particularly striking alongside darker evergreens, where the variegation looks crisp and intentional.
A classic New Zealand pittosporum with small, glossy leaves and a naturally airy, modern habit that works beautifully in contemporary schemes. It’s excellent for sheltered borders and pots, bringing evergreen structure without heaviness. The dark stems add extra definition, giving a clean, architectural look year-round.
Compact and naturally rounded, forming a neat evergreen sphere that looks wonderfully composed in pots and borders. It’s ideal for adding structure to gravel gardens and contemporary planting, where repeated shapes create rhythm. A brilliant choice when you want a “living sculpture” effect that stays tidy through winter.
A wonderfully neat, ball-forming pittosporum with fine foliage that gives a clean, modern look. Perfect for pots, edging, and repeating through borders to create structure and rhythm. It’s especially effective in minimalist planting schemes, where its rounded form reads like deliberate garden architecture.
A bright, variegated pittosporum with silvery tones that lift planting schemes and add definition year-round. Ideal for pots and sheltered borders, where the foliage colour stays crisp and decorative. It looks particularly good alongside darker shrubs and evergreens, creating a clean, high-contrast, contemporary finish.
A classic evergreen with thick, glossy leaves and a robust, tidy habit, giving year-round structure in sheltered gardens. It’s excellent in pots and sunny borders, bringing a calm, composed presence. In the right spot it can also offer a subtle fragrance when in flower, adding an extra layer of charm.
A compact, richly coloured pittosporum with deep purple-toned foliage that brings a modern, designer feel to borders and pots. It’s perfect for adding contrast among greens and silvers, and it keeps a neat, rounded habit that stays presentable all year. A superb plant for contemporary schemes.
A light-lifting variegated pittosporum with creamy-edged leaves that brighten borders and containers through every season. It brings evergreen structure with a fresher, more decorative feel than plain green shrubs, and it looks especially crisp beside darker evergreens, brickwork, and pale paving for a polished finish.
