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Variegated Japanese Pittosporum

Pittosporum tobira 'Variegatum'

Pronunciation: pit-o-SPOH-rum to-BY-ra
SKU #06595
8-11

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LIGHT: Full sun, Partial sun
WATER: Allow soil to dry slightly before watering.
SIZE: Moderate growing; reaches 6 to 8 ft. tall and wide.
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Description Attractive mounding evergreen shrub with white, gray and light green foliage. Creamy white flowers are small but have a terrific orange-blossom fragrance. Good border, hedge or landscape accent.
Bloom Time Spring
Deciduous/Evergreen Evergreen
Special Features Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Waterwise, Non-toxic to Cats and Dogs, Compact Form
Problems/Solutions Coastal Exposure, Tolerates Urban Pollution
Growth Rate Moderate
Flower Attributes Fragrant
Landscape Use Border, Hedge, Privacy Screen
Design Ideas Lovely light variegated foliage gives this evergreen shrub a special ability to inject interest into dull landscapes. It is highly versatile and ruggedly drought resistant. Most often applied as a foundation plant along walls, houses and fence lines. Coloring makes a perfect background for deep-green or emerald plants and is neutral enough to accentuate cool-colored perennials. Though it will take shearing as a hedge, it is more attractive if kept to its natural size with selective pruning. Blends exceptionally well into formal, Asian, or contemporary gardens.
Flower Color White
Foliage Color Gray-green
Companion Plants Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina); Agapanthus (Agapanthus); Blue Oat Grass (Heliotrichon); Loropetalum (Loropetalum); Bottlebrush (Callistemon)
Care Instructions Easy to grow in average, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates mild drought. Apply fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy appearance, prune annually to shape. May grow larger in optimal growing conditions.
History This genus, Pittosporum, contains over 200 species of trees and shrubs native to the tropical regions of the world and most in the southern hemisphere. It was classified by Sir Joseph Banks, 1743-1820, who was perhaps the most famous of all the early plant explorers and among the founders of the Horticultural Society of London. He named it from the Greek for pitch and seed referring to the sticky seed coat. Carl Thunberg of the Dutch East India Company identified but incorrectly classified this species of Japan as Euonymus tobira, his species designation from the native Japanese name. It was accurately classified by William Aiton, 1731-1793 and since then about a dozen cultivars have been produced. This is the most well known of all the horticultural variations of the original species.
Details
DescriptionAttractive mounding evergreen shrub with white, gray and light green foliage. Creamy white flowers are small but have a terrific orange-blossom fragrance. Good border, hedge or landscape accent.
Bloom TimeSpring
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesDramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Waterwise, Non-toxic to Cats and Dogs, Compact Form
Problems/SolutionsCoastal Exposure, Tolerates Urban Pollution
Growth RateModerate
Flower AttributesFragrant
Style
Landscape UseBorder, Hedge, Privacy Screen
Design IdeasLovely light variegated foliage gives this evergreen shrub a special ability to inject interest into dull landscapes. It is highly versatile and ruggedly drought resistant. Most often applied as a foundation plant along walls, houses and fence lines. Coloring makes a perfect background for deep-green or emerald plants and is neutral enough to accentuate cool-colored perennials. Though it will take shearing as a hedge, it is more attractive if kept to its natural size with selective pruning. Blends exceptionally well into formal, Asian, or contemporary gardens.
Flower ColorWhite
Foliage ColorGray-green
Companion PlantsHeavenly Bamboo (Nandina); Agapanthus (Agapanthus); Blue Oat Grass (Heliotrichon); Loropetalum (Loropetalum); Bottlebrush (Callistemon)
Care
Care InstructionsEasy to grow in average, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates mild drought. Apply fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy appearance, prune annually to shape. May grow larger in optimal growing conditions.
History
HistoryThis genus, Pittosporum, contains over 200 species of trees and shrubs native to the tropical regions of the world and most in the southern hemisphere. It was classified by Sir Joseph Banks, 1743-1820, who was perhaps the most famous of all the early plant explorers and among the founders of the Horticultural Society of London. He named it from the Greek for pitch and seed referring to the sticky seed coat. Carl Thunberg of the Dutch East India Company identified but incorrectly classified this species of Japan as Euonymus tobira, his species designation from the native Japanese name. It was accurately classified by William Aiton, 1731-1793 and since then about a dozen cultivars have been produced. This is the most well known of all the horticultural variations of the original species.

About Us

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly

100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.