Pittosporum tobira
Japanese mock orange, Tobira, Japanese pittosporum, Australian laurel
- Height × spread
- 4m × 5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A pleasing shrub with long, narrow glossy leaves, coloured bright green with a quite pronounced yellowish central vein. In summer there are creamy white flowers, rich with the fragrance of orange blossom. It is best grown as a wall shrub as it is rather tender and can be killed by the cold. In the warmer parts of Europe it is commonly grown as a hedging plant. If grown as a small tree it will reach up to 5m (16ft) in height with a dark grey trunk.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, orange
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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