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pittosporum tobira size

Pittosporum tobira, commonly known as Japanese Pittosporum, is a versatile evergreen shrub prized for its waxy green leaves and sweetly scented, creamy white flowers. If you’re considering Pittosporum tobira for your New Zealand garden, understanding Pittosporum tobira size is key to planning your landscape design—whether you’re wanting a compact hedge or a larger, more informal screen. On this page, we’ll explore the typical height and spread of Pittosporum tobira, factors affecting growth, and tips for sizing this attractive shrub for borders, hedging, or specimen planting.

Pittosporum tobira (Australian Laurel)

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Australian Laurel, Japanese Pittosporum, Japanese Mock Orange, Japanese Cheesewood

Pittosporum tobira, commonly known as Japanese Pittosporum or mock orange, is a versatile, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, green foliage and fragrant, white flowers. Native to East Asia, it thrives in New Zealand's climate and is an excellent choice for hedging, borders, or container planting. This hardy plant tolerates coastal conditions, wind, and frost, offering year-round interest with minimal maintenance.

Pittosporum tobira green foliage and elegant white flowers.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Trees
  • Height:
    10.00 m
  • Spread:
    3.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Spring, Summer
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal
  • Garden uses:
    Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening
  • Garden styles:
    Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, White
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Pittosporum tobira (Australian Laurel)

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What is the typical Pittosporum tobira size?

Mature Pittosporum tobira are generally medium to large shrubs. In New Zealand landscapes, they typically grow to a height of 2 to 4 metres and a spread of about 2.5 to 4 metres. In perfect conditions, Pittosporum tobira size can sometimes reach up to 5 metres tall, though most garden specimens remain at the lower end of this range due to pruning and site limitations.

Their tightly branching habit and dense foliage make Japanese Pittosporum especially popular for privacy screens, windbreaks, or evergreen backdrops.

Choosing Pittosporum tobira size for your garden

Selecting the right Pittosporum tobira size depends on your garden’s needs:

Their moderate growth rate and eventual size make them a practical, low-maintenance choice alongside other New Zealand natives.

How fast do Pittosporum tobira grow?

Pittosporum tobira are moderate growers, typically putting on 20 to 30 cm of height per year under good conditions. Soil fertility, moisture, and sun exposure all influence Pittosporum tobira size and speed of growth. In coastal gardens or exposed sites, size may be somewhat reduced, while sheltered, warm areas encourage faster development.

Alternatives and companions in the Pittosporum family

If your garden calls for a smaller or more compact shape, consider Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum), which stays well under a metre tall, or the architectural Pittosporum 'Limelight' (Kohuhu), prized for its vibrant lime foliage on a compact frame. For larger screens or quick-growing shelter, compare with the native Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata), which has the potential for even greater height and girth. Other options include the elegant Pittosporum tenuifolium or unique Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'.

Many gardeners love pairing Pittosporum tobira with specimen trees such as Lagerstroemia subcostata, Albizia julibrissin, or natives like Hedycarya arborea to create interesting colour and texture contrasts.

Choosing Pittosporum tobira for your landscape

Understanding Pittosporum tobira size helps you make the most of this adaptable shrub in your planting plan. Whether you need a hardy hedge, a salt-tolerant coastal screen, or a background for seasonal blooms, Pittosporum tobira provides structure and year-round interest. Explore our range for more inspiration and solutions for every garden need.


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