Pittosporum ralphii

Name: Pittosporum ralphii
Brand: The Plant Company
SKU: 10207o
Price: 198.07 NZD
Availability: InStock

Ralphs Karo

Pittosporum ralphii is a hardy, NZ native tree that features thick and leathery, light green leaves that have undersides densely clad with white hair. This evergreen typically grows to 6 m tall and 5 m wide though can be contained with trimming. Pittosporum ralphii is commonly included in coastal gardens, used as a backdrop for smaller plants, included in revegetation programs, or planted for shelter or screening.

Suited to regions:	All regions
Plant type:	Trees
Height:	6.00 m
Spread:	5.00 m
Flowering time:	Spring
Tolerances:	Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses:	Hedging, Ponds, Screening
Garden styles:	Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
Easy to grow?	Yes
Maintenance requirements	Low
Growth rate	Medium
Also known as	Ralphs Karo

What are the landscaping uses for Pittosporum ralphii in NZ?

Pittosporum ralphii 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.

Pittosporum ralphii hedge spacing

The Pittosporum ralphii 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.

What is the Pittosporum ralphii growth rate?

The growth rate of Pittosporum ralphii 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 6 m tall and 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 6 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 ralphii trees for sale in NZ

The Plant Company has the best Pittosporum ralphii 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 ralphii In NZ?

Pittosporum ralphii 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 ralphii problems

Pittosporum ralphii is a hardy and popular hedging plant in New Zealand, but like any plant, it can be susceptible to certain problems. Root rot is a fungal disease that thrives in waterlogged soil and it attacks the roots, preventing the plant from taking up water and nutrients. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and dieback. To prevent root rot, ensure your Pittosporum is planted in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. A further common problem is the tree can become sparse of foliage. This will occur if shade levels are too high or the trees have not been regularly trimmed. The simple solution here is to plant the tree in full sun and undertake trimming once per annum. These two problems account for about 95% of the issues but are easily controlled or prevented. Pest issues are infrequent as are other fungal issues.