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PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium
Commonly known as Kohuhu, Parchment bark
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Evergreenwavy-margined, thinly leathery, mid-green leaves 2.5-6cm (1-2½in) long
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Brown or blackBlack-red
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Height4-10m (13-33ft)
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Spread2-5m (6½-16ft)
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HedgeIdeal for hedgingSuitable for a coastal hedge if some protection given from direct sea-winds
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Tall ShrubErect and fast-growing when young. Dark-grey to black young stems. Produces flowers in small, few-flowered, axillary clusters followed by grey-black seed capsules
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Hardy - average winterHardy through most of the UK apart from inland valleys, at altitude and central/northerly locations. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold gardens. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14°F)Borderline
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Full sun
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Partial shade
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesPests & DiseasesLeaf spot, powdery mildewPlace of originNew ZealandResistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Flower ShapeBell/LanternBell-shaped
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Garden Location/ConditionsAustralian / New ZealandBorderSuitable for a large shrub borderCoastal / windsweptSlightly back from the sea with more shelter in milder areas
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HardinessFully hardyBorderline
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Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
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Scented PlantsScented flowershoney-scented.
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Seasonal InterestAutumnSpringSummerWinter
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Soil ConditionsFertile moist well-drained soil
4-10m (13-33ft)
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2-5m (6½-16ft) |
![PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Elizabeth' PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Elizabeth'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/pittosporum_tenuifolium_elizabeth_3314a.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Elizabeth'
![PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Variegatum' PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Variegatum'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/pittosporum_tenuifolium_variegatum_3328.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Variegatum'
![PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Atropurpureum' PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Atropurpureum'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/pittosporum_tenuifolium_atropurpureum_5349a.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Atropurpureum'
![PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Gold Star' PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Gold Star'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/pittosporum_tenuifolium_gold_star_3317.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Gold Star'
Buy Varieties of PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Abbotsbury Gold'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_abbotsbury_gold_3313.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Abbotsbury Gold'
bright greenish-yellow blotches in the centre of the young leaves which become less distinct on maturity
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Atropurpureum'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_atropurpureum_5349a.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Atropurpureum'
green new growth. Leaves then become purplish-brown
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_bannow_bay.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay'
new growth pale green with cream edge, changing to pink in summer, maturing to burgundy over winter.
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Elizabeth'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_elizabeth_3314a.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Elizabeth'
cream and green with distinctive pink edge. Hardy
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium Garnettii'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_garnettii_3316a.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium Garnettii'
('Saundersii') - rounded leaves are variegated white on cream
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Gold Star'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_gold_star_3317.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Gold Star'
with variegated foliage and a gold star in the centre
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Golf Ball'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_golf_ball_4822.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Golf Ball'
a new variety which is a pure light green and makes an excellent hedge or topiary with minimal trimming. It does not become leggy and its leaves hold on the lower branches
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Pittosporum_Irene_Paterson.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Irene Paterson'
('Snow') - green speckled white
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Silver Ball'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_silver_ball_6504.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Silver Ball'
very dense natural ball of shiny, grey-green leaves edged with white. Small, honey-scented flowers
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Silver Queen'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_silver_queen_5147.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Silver Queen'
leaves suffused silvery-grey with narrow white margins
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_silver_sheen_3323.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
tiny silver leaves, turning pink
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Tandara Gold'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Pittosporum_Tandara_Gold.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Tandara Gold'
compact shrub with small leaves variegated green and gold and set off against black stems
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_tom_thumb_3327.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'
dwarf purple new growth emerges light green
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Variegatum'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_variegatum_3328.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Variegatum'
silver green leaves margined cream
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Victoria'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/pittosporum_tenuifolium_victoria_3329.jpg)
PITTOSPORUM tenuifolium 'Victoria'
a new and hardy variety with pale silvery green leaves edged white. The leaves become tinged dark pink in winter
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