pittosporum crassifolium hedge spacing

How Far Apart to Plant Pittosporum crassifolium for Hedging

Getting your pittosporum crassifolium hedge spacing right from the start directly affects your hedge’s growth rate, density, and long-term maintenance needs. A good general guide is to plant Karo at 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a standard shelter or privacy hedge. For a denser, faster-forming hedge, use a spacing of 80 cm to 1 metre. This allows each plant to establish full, bushy growth without overcrowding, giving you a solid barrier within just a few seasons.

If you have a small garden or want a very formal hedge, you can go tighter—around 60 cm apart—but expect to trim more frequently. On exposed coastal sites, planting Pittosporum crassifolium a little further apart (up to 1.5 metres) gives each shrub space to weather strong winds and thrive.

Tips for Healthy Hedge Planting

For best results: - Prepare your site well by removing weeds and working in compost. - Dig holes at the recommended pittosporum crassifolium hedge spacing. - Keep the soil moist after planting to encourage strong, deep roots. - Mulch to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Regular light trimming from a young age will encourage dense branching, even at wider spacings.

Why Go with Pittosporum crassifolium for Hedges?

Karo is hardy, fast-growing, and tolerant of wind, salt, and drought—making it an outstanding choice for New Zealand gardens coastal and inland alike. Its leathery silver-green foliage resists leaf scorch, and it makes a great companion for other natives. If you appreciate the qualities of Pittosporum in general, you might also like to explore Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata), a fragrant, upright species ideal for taller hedges, or Pittosporum tenuifolium, which features striking dark stems and delicate leaves.

Choosing Companion and Alternative Hedge Plants

Love the look of Karo but want to mix things up? Consider interplanting with Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' for dramatic foliage colour, or Pittosporum 'Limelight' (Kohuhu) for soft chartreuse tones. For lower borders, Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum) offers neat, compact growth.

If you’re thinking beyond Pittosporum, other reliable hedging plants include Leptospermum madidum, for a feathery foliage screen, or Cornus capitata and Magnolia Gold Star (Magnolia stellata Gold Star) for seasonal interest. For dramatic highlights, consider Betula pendula 'Black Prince' (Weeping Birch) or Metrosideros excelsa 'Scarlet Pimpernel'.

In Summary

The ideal pittosporum crassifolium hedge spacing is typically between 80 cm and 1.5 metres, tailored to your space and style. With the right preparation, spacing, and early trimming, your Karo hedge will give you year-round privacy and natural beauty, thriving for decades in even the toughest conditions. Explore our collection of Pittosporum varieties and companion plants to design the perfect hedge for your garden.