If you’re searching for “pittosporum tenu,” you’re likely interested in one of New Zealand’s most versatile and reliable native plants for hedges, screens, and landscaping. Pittosporum tenu—more accurately referred to as [Pittosporum tenuifolium](/shop/product/trees/pittosporum-tenuifolium)—is treasured for its delicate, wavy foliage, upright form, and tolerance of a range of garden conditions. Favoured by both home gardeners and landscape designers, this fast-growing evergreen is an easy choice for those looking to add structure, texture, and year-round greenery to the garden. On this page, we’ll explore the features and uses of pittosporum tenu, along with some popular related varieties that may suit your planting scheme.

Pittosporum tenuifolium, commonly known as Kohuhu or Black Matipo, is a fast-growing, evergreen native tree ideal for hedging, screening, and shelter in New Zealand gardens. It features wavy-edged green leaves on distinctive dark stems and produces small, sweetly scented purple flowers in spring. Reaching 4–6 metres tall, Kohuhu thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to coastal, windy, and dry conditions. Its tidy, upright form makes it a versatile and low-maintenance landscaping choice.
From $229.04

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 shrub that typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide. Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegata is commonly used for shelter, screening, and hedging, and is well suited for growing around outdoor living areas. It also makes an attractive specimen and a lovely back drop for smaller plants.
From $21.53
Join our community of happy customers.