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pittosporum nz native

If you're searching for a versatile and stylish shrub that thrives in New Zealand gardens, the pittosporum nz native is a top choice. Pittosporum species are beloved for their hardy nature, distinctive foliage, and the essential structure they bring to landscapes across Aotearoa. These adaptable native plants not only provide year-round visual interest, but also shelter and food for birds, making them a cornerstone of eco-friendly garden design.

Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo) olive-green foliage and red flowers.

Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

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Pittosporum crassifolium, commonly known as Karo, is a hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It features dense, grey-green leathery leaves and produces small, fragrant purple flowers in spring, followed by sticky seed capsules. Karo grows 3–5 metres tall and is ideal for hedging, shelterbelts, or coastal planting. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, tolerates wind, salt spray, and drought, and requires minimal maintenance, making it perfect for tough NZ conditions.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
pittosporum-millfield-magic-

Pittosporum Millfield Magic

Pittosporum Millfield Magic is a compact NZ native shrub that produces fresh-green foliage with silver overtones. This evergreen typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide and can be trimmed as necessary. Pittosporum Millfield Magic is an excellent choice for hedging, growing around pools or barbecue areas, adding to a mixed planting, using as a backdrop for smaller plants, or maintaining in a container.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohuhu) lush green foliage.

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 eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.

Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and...

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Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.

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...

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pittosporum-silver-pillar-

Pittosporum Silver Pillar

Pittosporum Silver Pillar is a NZ native that features small leaves that are variegated mid-green with a cream margin and held on dark stems. It...

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Pittosporum 'Limelight' variegated foliage.

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...

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Pittosporum 'Golf Ball' (Dwarf Pittosporum) shrub with lush green foliage in a garden.

Pittosporum Golf Ball

Pittosporum 'Golf Ball' is a compact, evergreen shrub native to New Zealand, renowned for its dense, rounded form and vibrant green foliage. This...

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Pittosporum ralphii olive-green foliage.

Pittosporum ralphii (Ralphs Karo)

Pittosporum ralphii is a hardy, evergreen native shrub or small tree ideal for hedging, screening, and native planting projects across New Zealand...

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pittosporum-jade-3

Pittosporum Jade

Pittosporum Jade is a NZ native shrub that features slender, dark-coloured stems which bear small, jade-green leaves which are held densely. This...

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Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' speciment tree.

Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

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

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pittosporum-frankies-folly-

Pittosporum Frankies Folly

Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its naturally rounded form and dense foliage. This hardy New Zealand native...

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Pittosporum tobira green foliage and elegant white flowers.

Pittosporum tobira (Australian Laurel)

Pittosporum tobira, commonly known as Japanese Pittosporum or mock orange, is a versatile, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, green foliage and...

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pittosporum-small-ball-

Pittosporum Small Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum Small Ball is a dwarf variety grown for its glossy, olive-green leaves which are held densely. This evergreen grows with a ball shape to...

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Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist' small, green foliage.

Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist'

Pittosporum 'Oliver Twist' is a NZ native shrub with small, olive-green leaves held densely on narrow, black stems. This evergreen typically grows to...

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Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$21.53
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.

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-tenuifolium-variegata-4

Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegata

Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegata features dark green leaves that are edged with cream and held densely on dark stems. This is a very tidy NZ native...

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Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' bushy plants in pots.

Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen'

Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub admired for its delicate, silvery-green foliage and airy appearance. Ideal for hedging...

From$229.04
Pittosporum eugenioides variegatum lush foliage.

Pittosporum eugenioides 'variegatum' (Variegated Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides Variegatum, commonly known as Variegated Tarata, features slender, dark coloured stems which bear dark green leaves with a...

From$21.53
pittosporum-irish-luck-

Pittosporum Irish Luck (Black Matipo)

Caring for Sophora 'Goldies Mantle' is simple and low maintenance. Pruning after flowering will help maintain its shape and encourage fresh growth...

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A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.

Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$358.98
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) shrubs in a native reserve.

Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka or New Zealand Tea Tree, is a hardy native shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and masses of white...

From$13.43
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.

Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The...

From$329.63
Sophora longicarinata yellow flowers.

Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai)

Sophora longicarinata is a rare and beautiful NZ native tree belonging to the kowhai family. This evergreen to semi deciduous species is admired for...

From$358.98
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

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Sophora fulvida tree with masses of yellow flowers.

Sophora fulvida

Sophora fulvida (Southern Kōwhai) is a beautiful New Zealand native tree admired for its golden yellow flowers and fine green foliage. Flowering in...

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Nestegis montana narrow green leaves on a tree.

Nestegis montana (Narrow-Leaved Maire)

Nestegis montana is a hardy and attractive native tree of New Zealand, known for its upright growth habit and glossy green foliage. This evergreen...

From$299.92
Vitex lucens (Puriri) lush, green foliage.

Vitex lucens

Vitex lucens, commonly known as Puriri, is a striking New Zealand native tree prized for its lush foliage, vibrant pink to red tubular flowers, and...

From$299.92
Phyllocladus trichomanoides lush green foliage.

Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Celery Pine)

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, commonly called Celery Pine, is a striking New Zealand native tree valued for its unique, celery like foliage and tall...

From$457.29
sorbus-scarlet-king-

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$343.89
A large Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (Kahikatea) tree.

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (Kahikatea)

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides, commonly known as Kahikatea or White Pine, is a slow-growing, NZ native tree capable of reaching 50 m tall. The foliage on...

From$205.02
Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Dacrycarpus, Leptospermum, Metrosideros, Nestegis, Phyllocladus, Pittosporum, Prumnopitys, Sophora Sorbus and Vitex, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

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Why Choose a Pittosporum NZ Native?

Pittosporum nz native shrubs and trees have evolved to withstand New Zealand's unique climate, from coastal winds to frosty inland valleys. Their dense, evergreen foliage comes in a range of colours, including glossy green, silver-grey, and dramatic shades of purple-black. Many gardeners use pittosporums for privacy hedges, shelterbelts, topiary, or as statement feature plants.

Planting a pittosporum nz native is an investment in both beauty and resilience. These plants tolerate clay soils, withstand pruning, and grow well in sun or part shade, making them suitable for a wide range of garden situations.

Popular Pittosporum NZ Native Varieties

There are several standout varieties to consider for your garden, each offering something unique:

How to Grow and Care for Pittosporum NZ Native

To get the best from your pittosporum nz native, plant in well-drained soil and water regularly until established. Although pittosporums are drought-tolerant once mature, young plants appreciate a layer of mulch to help with moisture retention and weed suppression. For hedge plants, trim regularly in late summer to maintain a bushy shape and encourage new foliage.

Feed with a general slow-release fertiliser in spring for optimal growth, and keep an eye out for the occasional hungry pest, which is easily managed with organic controls.

Design Ideas with Pittosporum NZ Native

Pittosporum nz native varieties bring texture and form to every corner of the garden. Use them: - As a backdrop for flowering perennials - Clipped into balls or lollipops for a formal look - In wildlife-friendly designs to attract native birds - Along driveways or paths for year-round structure

By choosing a pittosporum nz native, you'll create a resilient, beautiful garden that celebrates the best of New Zealand's plant heritage. Explore our selection of trusted varieties and add some native structure to your outdoor space today.


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