Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

pittosporum lemonwood

Pittosporum lemonwood (Pittosporum eugenioides), also known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a beloved New Zealand native treasured for its lustrous foliage, resilience, and citrus-scented leaves. This evergreen tree brings a touch of lush, aromatic beauty to any garden, thriving in a wide range of conditions and making an excellent choice for hedges, shelter belts, and specimen planting. Whether you’re looking for a hardy native to attract birds, a shelter belt for windswept spots, or a striking feature tree, Pittosporum lemonwood is a versatile and low-maintenance solution for Kiwi gardens.

Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

5 from 2 customers

Tarata, Lemonwood

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and lemon-scented foliage. It can reach 10 metres tall and makes an excellent shelter tree or native hedge. In spring, it produces clusters of small, yellowish flowers that are attractive to insects. Tarata is hardy, tolerates wind and drought once established, and is an excellent choice for native plantings or revegetation projects.

Pittosporum eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Trees
  • Height:
    12.00 m
  • Spread:
    5.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Spring
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
  • Garden uses:
    Hedging, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Alpine, Coastal, Formal, Native, Riparian
Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohuhu) lush green foliage.
Most Popular

Pittosporum tenuifolium

Pittosporum tenuifolium, commonly known as Kohuhu or Black Matipo, is a fast-growing, evergreen native tree ideal for hedging, screening, and shelter...

From$229.04
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' speciment tree.
Most Popular

Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

Pittosporum ‘Wrinkled Blue’ is an attractive, upright evergreen tree known for its distinctive blue-grey foliage and dense, columnar growth habit...

From$21.53
Pittosporum 'Limelight' variegated foliage.
Most Popular

Pittosporum 'Limelight' (Kohuhu)

Pittosporum 'Limelight' is a NZ native shrub that features dark green leaves with a lime green centre, held densely on upright stems. This evergreen...

From$229.04
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.
Most Popular

Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Midget' is a dwarf variety that features foliage made up of small, fresh green leaves. The foliage is complemented with small, purple...

From$40.43
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.
Most Popular

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' is a robust New Zealand native shrub prized for its vibrant green foliage and dense growth. Perfect for creating privacy...

From$21.53
gleditsia-limelight-
Most Popular

Gleditsia triacanthos Limelight (Honey Locust)

“Limelight” is a variety of the commonly known, Honey Locust, and is a deciduous tree grown for its impressive stature and foliage. It produces pale...

From$343.89
A Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak) specimen tree with bright red-orange foliage.
Most Popular

Quercus coccinea

Quercus coccinea, commonly known as the Scarlet Oak tree, features very colourful autumn foliage. The foliage emerges light green in spring, ages to...

From$299.92
magnolia-red-as-red-2
Most Popular

Magnolia Red As Red (Red As Red Magnolia)

Magnolia Red as Red bears masses of large and showy, dark red flowers through late winter and early spring. The flowers are borne on the naked stems...

From$432.79
pyrus-calleryana-bradford-2
Most Popular

Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'

Pyrus calleryana 'Bradford' is a popular ornamental pear tree admired for its spectacular white spring blossom and rich autumn colour. The glossy...

From$343.89
Cercis Forest Pansy growing in a courtyard garden with purple leaves.
Most Popular

Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy (Eastern Redbud)

The Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy tree, commonly known as Forest Pansy Redbud or Eastern Redbud Forest Pansy, is a small tree grown for its...

From$432.79
Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Pittosporum or Evergreen Trees.

Search Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Features and Appearance

Pittosporum lemonwood is well-known for its glossy, green, oval leaves with distinctive wavy edges. When crushed, the leaves release a refreshing lemon fragrance, which is not just pleasant but also deters pests naturally. During spring, Pittosporum eugenioides produces clusters of small, yellowish flowers that add subtle appeal, followed by black seed capsules that attract native birdlife. Mature trees typically reach heights of 5-10 metres, forming an upright, pyramidal habit that’s perfect for screening and privacy.

Growing Conditions and Care

One of the reasons Pittosporum lemonwood remains a staple in New Zealand landscaping is its adaptability. It tolerates a variety of soil types, including clay and sandy soils, provided drainage is reasonable. Tarata is wind-hardy, salt tolerant, and can withstand moderate frosts, making it suitable for exposed, coastal, or inland sites.

Plant your Pittosporum eugenioides in full sun to partial shade for best results. Regular watering during establishment encourages strong root growth, but once settled, this native is drought-tolerant and requires little ongoing care beyond occasional pruning to maintain shape.

Ideal Uses in New Zealand Gardens

Pittosporum lemonwood’s dense foliage forms one of the best evergreen hedges for privacy and wind protection. It is fast-growing, allowing you to create a lush shelter quickly, whether as a formal clipped hedge or a more natural screen. In restoration projects and native plantings, Tarata plays an important ecological role, supporting pollinators and birds.

Looking for other Pittosporum varieties to complement your planting? Explore Pittosporum tenuifolium for its elegant, silvery form, Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo) for smaller spaces, Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' for unique leaf texture, and Pittosporum 'Limelight' (Kohuhu) or Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum) for vibrant foliage in compact gardens.

Companion Plants and Alternatives

Pittosporum lemonwood pairs beautifully with other shelter trees, such as Pyrus 'Candelabra', Cupaniopsis anacardioides, Ulmus carpinifolia (Ulmus minor), Nothofagus solandri, and the golden-flowered Metrosideros excelsa 'Aurea'. These choices broaden your garden’s biodiversity, seasonal interest, and structural diversity.

Why Choose Pittosporum Lemonwood

For New Zealand gardeners and landscapers, Pittosporum lemonwood stands out as a hardy, beautiful, and multi-purpose native. Its fragrant foliage, bird-friendly flowers, rapid growth, and suitability across a range of settings make it a must-have for anyone seeking a reliable, evergreen solution for their landscape.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Everyone knows classic varieties like Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) and Dianella 'Little Jess', but you might just fall in love with Azalea 'Charlie', Bougainvillea 'Magnifica Traillii', and Magnolia Lennei Alba.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

433 Google reviews