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pittosporum tenu

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 (Kohuhu) lush green foliage.

Pittosporum tenuifolium

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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.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
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 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.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
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 crassifolium (Karo) olive-green foliage and red flowers.

Pittosporum crassifolium (Karo)

Pittosporum crassifolium, commonly known as Karo, is a hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It features dense, grey-green...

From$14.72
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 '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...

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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...

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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 '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 '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
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...

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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 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 '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...

From$229.04
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-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-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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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-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 '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-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 tenuifolium

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Pittosporum, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

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What is Pittosporum tenu?

Pittosporum tenu is a common shorthand for Pittosporum tenuifolium, one of New Zealand’s iconic native trees. Characterised by its slender, dark stems and small, silvery-green or deep green leaves, pittosporum tenu can grow up to 10 metres high in its natural form, but is easily clipped and maintained at a much lower height for hedging purposes. In spring, the plant bursts into clusters of tiny, chocolate-scented black-purple flowers, which add a subtle seasonal highlight and attract native pollinators.

Key Features and Benefits

Pittosporum tenu makes an outstanding backdrop or boundary. It thrives in a range of soils, copes well with wind and drought once established, and responds beautifully to clipping. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for urban gardens, rural shelter belts, and coastal exposures across New Zealand. Thanks to its rapid growth rate, you can create a dense, attractive screen in just a few years.

Popular Pittosporum Varieties

While the classic pittosporum tenu shines in many gardens, several distinctive cultivars offer unique features:

Planting and Caring for Pittosporum tenu

Plant pittosporum tenu in well-drained soil with good sun exposure for fastest growth, though it also tolerates shade and urban conditions well. When establishing a hedge, space plants around 80cm apart for rapid coverage. Water regularly during dry spells in the first year, but once settled, pittosporum tenu is remarkably hardy and low-maintenance. Occasional trimming encourages dense growth and keeps your hedge neat and shapely.

Why Choose Pittosporum tenu?

Choosing pittosporum tenu for your New Zealand garden means selecting a native that is both beautiful and resilient. Whether you prefer the classic type or wish to explore the unique charm of selections like Pittosporum tenuifolium Variegata or Pittosporum Tom Thumb (Dwarf Pittosporum), this group offers solutions for privacy, shelter, and year-round interest. Embrace the ease and style of this trusted favourite and transform your landscape with a touch of native elegance.


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