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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.

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Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata'

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata' is an attractive evergreen shrub renowned for its beautifully variegated foliage and elegant growth habit. The grey green leaves edged with creamy white provide year round colour and brightness, making this variety a standout feature in gardens and landscapes. Its hardy nature and versatility make it ideal for hedging, screening, borders, and specimen planting. Well suited to New Zealand conditions, Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata' is a low maintenance shrub that delivers lasting structure, colour, and visual appeal.

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)

5 from 1 customers

Pittosporum tobira, commonly known as Japanese Pittosporum or mock orange, is a versatile, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, green foliage and fragrant, white flowers. Native to East Asia, it thrives in New Zealand's climate and is an excellent choice for hedging, borders, or container planting. This hardy plant tolerates coastal conditions, wind, and frost, offering year-round interest with minimal maintenance.

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

From$206.50
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$15.04
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...

From$26.15
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$22.01
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...

From$26.15
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$206.50
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$35.81
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...

From$15.04
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$22.01
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$206.50
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...

From$22.01
Pittosporum 'Little Kiwi' shrubs with light green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Little Kiwi'

Pittosporum 'Little Kiwi' is a compact New Zealand native evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, attractive foliage, and naturally tidy...

From$26.15
pittosporum-jade-3
Pittosporum 'Jade'

Pittosporum 'Jade' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, attractive green foliage, and versatility in the landscape. This...

From$26.15
pittosporum-irish-luck-
Pittosporum 'Irish Luck'

Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its dense, bright green foliage and tidy growth habit. This versatile plant is well...

From$22.01
pittosporum-green-jade-1
Pittosporum 'Green Jade'

Pittosporum 'Green Jade' is a handsome evergreen shrub valued for its rich green foliage, dense growth habit, and naturally tidy appearance. This...

From$22.01
pittosporum-silver-pillar-
Pittosporum 'Silver Pillar'

Pittosporum 'Silver Pillar' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its narrow upright growth habit and attractive silver green foliage. This...

From$22.01
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...

From$102.84
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...

From$26.15
pittosporum-small-ball-
Pittosporum 'Small Ball'

Pittosporum 'Small Ball' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its naturally rounded growth habit, dense foliage, and tidy appearance. This dwarf...

From$22.01
A Pittosporum turneri tree with small, green leaves and a narrow growth habit.
Pittosporum turneri

Pittosporum turneri is a rare, NZ native tree that grows to about 8 m tall and 1.5 m wide. It has a columnar growth habit with branches tending to be...

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Pittosporum dallii rounded shrub.
Pittosporum dallii

Pittosporum dallii is a rare and attractive New Zealand native tree admired for its lush silver green foliage and elegant growth habit. This...

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Pittosporum rigidum shrub.
Pittosporum rigidum

Pittosporum rigidum is a hardy evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its dense branching, attractive foliage, and reliable growth. This Australian...

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Pittosporum kirkii shrub with green foliage.
Pittosporum kirkii

Pittosporum kirkii is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub valued for its compact growth habit, attractive grey green foliage, and natural ability...

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pittosporum-taupo-
Pittosporum 'Taupo'

Pittosporum 'Taupo' is a popular New Zealand native shrub grown for its dense branching, attractive silver green foliage, and versatility in the...

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Pittosporum crassicaule plant.
Pittosporum crassicaule

Pittosporum crassicaule is a hardy New Zealand native evergreen shrub valued for its compact growth habit, distinctive grey green foliage, and...

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pittosporum-sumo-
Pittosporum 'Sumo'

Pittosporum 'Sumo' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, rich green foliage, and naturally rounded form. This hardy variety...

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Pittosporum 'Little Anita' plants as topiary balls in a garden.
Pittosporum 'Little Anita' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Little Anita' is a dwarf variety of Pittosporum with small, light green leaves as it grows to about 60 cm tall and 75 cm wide. This...

OUT OF STOCK
pittosporum-tasman-ruffles-2
Pittosporum 'Tasman Ruffles'

Pittosporum 'Tasman Ruffles' is a distinctive evergreen shrub valued for its attractive ruffled foliage, dense growth habit, and year round visual...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum umbellatum lush green foliage with small, pink flowers.
Pittosporum umbellatum

Pittosporum umbellatum is a bushy tree that features dark green, glossy leaves that are oval and leathery. Showy clusters of fragrant, pink flowers...

OUT OF STOCK
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata'

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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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