Pittosporum crassifolium

What are the landscaping uses for Pittosporum crassifolium in NZ?

Pittosporum crassifolium is a popular choice in landscaping projects in NZ. It makes a beautiful hedge and a fantastic screen, but also makes for a lovely specimen or a lush backdrop for smaller plants. It is the gorgeous foliage and versatility of this plant that makes it a popular choice in landscaping. Few other trees can grow on marginal soils and climates and still look amazing.

Pittosporum crassifolium hedge spacing

The Pittosporum crassifolium hedge spacing is generally 50 cm between the plants. If you want the hedge to fill in faster, you can shorten the spacing to 40 cm. However, going wider than 50 cm will have two effects. The first is that the gap between the plants at the base will be harder to fill in and this can cause frustration. The second is that the plants will tend to grow wider rather than upward. At a closer spacing the plants compete for light, and in doing so, they push each other upwards. Therefore, The Plant Company recommends a 40-50 cm spacing to achieve an amazing hedge.

Why is Pittosporum crassifolium called Karo?

The name "Karo" for Pittosporum crassifolium primarily originates from the Māori language. "Karo" is the Māori name for this particular species of Pittosporum and is a direct use of the indigenous language's term for the plant. Karo also has cultural significance to Māori, and the name reflects that connection.

What is the Pittosporum crassifolium growth rate?

The growth rate of Pittosporum crassifolium depends on where it is positioned and how well it is cared for. In a warm climate with good growing conditions, it will grow to 10-12 m tall and 3-5 m wide in about 10-15 years. Where anything impedes the growth such as drought, wind exposure, cold climates it will grow at a slower rate. While this tree can grow to 12 m tall, it is often clipped to smaller sizes and often into a hedge. Overall, the growth rate is considered medium relative to other NZ native hedging plants.

Pittosporum crassifolium trees for sale in NZ

The Plant Company has the best Pittosporum crassifolium trees for sale in NZ. Our production nursery specialises in growing amazing plants and our logistics team pack them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after your plant and hedge needs and impress you with both our products and service!

What are the best growing conditions for Pittosporum crassifolium In NZ?

Pittosporum crassifolium grows best in NZ when planted in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site. We cannot emphasise enough the importance of good drainage as plants can become diseased and die if drainage is poor, they are waterlogged, or both. It will tolerate coastal environments, wind, and frost.

Pittosporum crassifolium fruit

Pittosporum crassifolium, or Karo, produces distinctive fruit. The fruit develops as woody capsules which are roughly 2-3 cm wide. They are typically trigonous (three-angled) in shape and when ripe, the capsules split open into 3 or sometimes 4 segments. Inside the capsules are numerous black seeds which are embedded in a sticky, yellow pith. The fruits ripen over a relatively long period and can be present on the plant for many months. Birds and other animals are attracted to the fruit, which aids in seed dispersal.

What height does Pittosporum crassifolium grow to?

Pittosporum crassifolium will grow to a height of about 10 metres. In warmer climates it will reach this height much quicker than in cooler and more exposed sites. Watering and maintaining fertility levels will also influence the time to reach this height.