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pittosporum types

If you’re searching for the best pittosporum types to add to your New Zealand garden, you’re in the right place. Pittosporums are a beloved genus of evergreen shrubs and small trees, valued for their versatility, low maintenance, and elegant glossy foliage. With a diverse range of forms, from compact dwarf selections to taller screening varieties, there’s a pittosporum to suit every landscaping need. Below, explore some of the most popular pittosporum types, along with tips on how to select the right variety for your garden.

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. This cultivar typically grows to around 4–5 metres tall and 2–3 metres wide, making it an ideal choice for hedging, screening, or as a narrow specimen tree in smaller spaces. The crinkled, silvery-blue leaves provide year-round visual interest and contrast beautifully with green plantings in both modern and native garden designs.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, 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 '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$21.53
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$25.58
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...

From$307.58
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$25.58
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 '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-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...

From$107.05
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 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$25.58
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...

From$21.53
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$21.53
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$25.58
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...

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 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-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...

From$21.53
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
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$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...

From$21.53
Plagianthus regius as a small tree in a garden.

Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood)

Plagianthus regius, commonly known as Ribbonwood or Manatu, is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing native trees. It can reach 10–15 metres tall and...

From$24.23
Clonex Rooting Hormone one litre bottle.

Rooting Hormone (Rooting Hormone)

Clonex is the preferred rooting hormone for nurseries across NZ and the world. It is the industry standard for rooting softwood, semi-hardwood, and...

From$148.75
enhanced-compost-

Enhanced Compost

The Plant Company Enhanced Compost has been supplemented with the right balance of both quick release and controlled release fertilisers. It can be...

From$46.91
bahco-grafting-knife-1

Bahco Grafting Knife

This grafting knife from Bacho is the industry standard for all types of grafting including cleft, side approach, and air layering. The design...

From$89.98
rose-fertiliser-

Rose Fertiliser

Roses respond exceptionally well to rose fertiliser with better quality flowers and foliage, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$12.50
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Pittosporum and Plagianthus, or related Categories - Rose Fertiliser, Compost, Grafting and Budding, Rooting Hormone, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

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Why Choose Pittosporum for Your Garden

Pittosporum types are prized for their resilience and adaptability. These shrubs thrive in New Zealand’s varied climate, tolerating both wind and coastal conditions. They make superb hedging and screening plants, support native wildlife, and bring year-round greenery to both formal and informal settings. With dwarf cultivars perfect for borders and containers alongside larger types for structure and privacy, pittosporum types offer endless possibilities.

Popular Dwarf Pittosporum Types

If you’re looking for compact options, New Zealand gardeners have access to several outstanding dwarf pittosporum types. Pittosporum Little Sprite (Dwarf Pittosporum) is a perfect choice for small spaces, pots, or mass plantings, boasting a tidy habit and lush foliage year-round. Pittosporum 'Little Anita' (Dwarf Pittosporum) offers a neat, dense bush great for low hedging or edging, with attractive green leaves that shimmer in the sunlight.

Another standout among dwarf pittosporum types is Pittosporum Glo Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum), aptly named for its naturally compact, rounded form and soft, vibrant green foliage. For gardeners seeking a playful, small-leaved option, Pittosporum Little Burger (Dwarf Pittosporum) delivers with its tidy, easy-care shape and year-round appeal.

Larger Pittosporum Varieties and Their Uses

Not all pittosporum types are compact. Some, like Pittosporum Emerald Lake (Black Matipo), create stunning evergreen screens and windbreaks. Emerald Lake is celebrated for its glossy dark foliage and upright growth, making it ideal for privacy plantings or as a backdrop to highlight other garden plants.

These larger pittosporum types are excellent for quick, dense coverage and can be trimmed to suit your desired height and shape. Their adaptability makes them an essential addition to mixed native gardens and sustainable landscapes.

Choosing the Right Pittosporum Type

When deciding among the many pittosporum types, consider your garden’s size, style, and the specific purpose you’d like your plants to serve. Dwarf pittosporum types suit foundation plantings, borders, and container gardens, while larger types provide height, structure, and privacy.

No matter which pittosporum types you choose, you’ll enjoy hardy, evergreen foliage and a reliable performer in your landscape. Browse our collection to discover the unique qualities of each variety, from the graceful Pittosporum Little Sprite (Dwarf Pittosporum) to architectural Pittosporum Emerald Lake (Black Matipo), and find the perfect plant for your garden vision.


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