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

Pittosporum tenuifolium Sumo

Pittosporum tenuifolium Sumo, frequently known simply as Sumo, is an eye-catching plant that has become a favorite in New Zealand gardens. With its striking foliage and compact growth habit, this shrub is perfect for creating a lush, green landscape without taking up too much space. Whether used for hedging, screening, or as a feature plant, Sumo offers both aesthetic appeal and versatility, making it a fantastic addition to any garden.

Pittosporum Sumo (Black Matipo)

Black Matipo, Kohuhu

Pittosporum Sumo features dark brown-black stems that host small, fresh green leaves. This shrub grows rapidly with a tidy habit to about 3 m tall and 1.5 m wide. Pittosporum Sumo is an excellent choice for hedging, screening, adding to a mixed planting, or growing as a specimen.

pittosporum-sumo-
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Shrubs
  • Height:
    3.00 m
  • Spread:
    1.50 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 eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.
Most Popular

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$14.39
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$21.05
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$20.46
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$22.37
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$21.05
Hydrangea paniculata 'Candlelight' showy, pink and white flowers.
Most Popular

Hydrangea Candlelight

Hydrangea 'Candlelight' is an award-winning deciduous shrub known for its striking conical flower heads that emerge creamy white in summer and...

From$28.97
viburnum-opulus-sterile-
Most Popular

Viburnum opulus Sterile (Snowball Bush)

Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' is a deciduous shrub known for its beautiful clusters of white flowers without producing berries. This low-maintenance...

From$26.33
An upright Rosemary 'Tuscan Blue' shrub with blue flowers in a Mediterranean themed garden.
Most Popular

Rosmarinus 'Tuscan Blue'

The 'Tuscan Blue' Rosemary is a fast-growing and upright variety that features petite, sky-blue flowers borne amidst the dark green leaves through...

From$21.05
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Ruby' red and green foliage.
Most Popular

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Ruby'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Ruby' is a superb hedge forming honeysuckle valued for its deep green foliage and profusion of rich ruby toned flowers. This...

From$21.05
Lavender 'Sensation Blue' shrub with purple flowers above dark green foliage.
Most Popular

Lavender 'Sensation Blue'

Lavender 'Sensation Blue' is a standout lavender variety admired for its deep blue purple blooms and aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from...

From$24.42
Pittosporum Sumo (Black Matipo)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Pittosporum or Evergreen Shrubs.

Search Pittosporum Sumo (Black Matipo)

Characteristics of Pittosporum tenuifolium Sumo

The Sumo variety of Pittosporum tenuifolium is characterized by its dense, rounded form and glossy dark green leaves. This plant typically grows to about 1-2 meters tall, making it ideal for garden beds, borders, or container gardening. The leaves of Sumo have a unique, slightly crinkled texture that adds depth and interest to any planting scheme. In spring, you may also notice small, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators, adding to its charm.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Pittosporum tenuifolium Sumo thrives best in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. This hardy shrub is quite adaptable, tolerating a range of soil types. It enjoys full sun to partial shade locations, though it generally prefers sunny spots for optimal growth. If you're considering adding Sumo to your garden, ensure it's in a location protected from strong winds, as its lush foliage can be susceptible to damage in harsh weather.

Benefits of Growing Sumo

One of the major benefits of Pittosporum tenuifolium Sumo is its ability to provide excellent evergreen screening. The dense foliage creates an effective barrier against prying eyes while enhancing privacy in your outdoor space. Moreover, this plant is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it an attractive option for gardeners looking to minimize upkeep.

Due to its compact size, Sumo is also a wonderful choice for smaller gardens or urban settings. You can easily incorporate it into your landscape design alongside other plants such as Pittosporum eugenioides or Pittosporum tenuifolium to create a diverse plant palette that flourishes throughout the seasons.

Pairing with Other Plants

The natural elegance of Pittosporum tenuifolium Sumo makes it a great partner for various shrubs and trees. Its lush green leaves provide a backdrop that enhances the vibrant colors of neighboring plants. Consider planting it alongside Fuchsia White Marshmallow for a stunning contrast or pairing it with Chamelaucium Dawn Pearl to create complementary textures in your garden.

For a more varied landscape, combine Sumo with flowering shrubs such as Abutilon Victor Reiter or explore other Pittosporum varieties like Pittosporum Wrinkled Blue to add more depth and visual interest.

In conclusion, Pittosporum tenuifolium Sumo is a fantastic choice for gardeners who want a resilient, attractive shrub that enhances privacy and beauty in their outdoor spaces. Whether you’re creating a lush reserve or adding a touch of greenery to your garden, Sumo is sure to impress!


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.

It’s easy to pick Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile) and Dianella 'Little Jess', but garden variety is all about adding surprises like Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave), Feijoa Feijoa sellowiana, and Santolina 'Lime Fizz'.
–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

423 Google reviews