Plant Library

Other Names:  Kohuhu

Description:

An evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense multi-stemmed habit and green glossy foliage with wavy white edges; clusters of purple flowers in spring upon nearly black new stems; a shining landscape accent or screen; exceptional hardiness

Ornamental Features

Tasman Ruffles Pittosporum features showy clusters of fragrant purple flowers at the ends of the branches from mid to late spring. It has attractive grayish green foliage edged in white with hints of lime green which emerges buttery yellow in spring. The twisted oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Tasman Ruffles Pittosporum is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Tasman Ruffles Pittosporum is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Tasman Ruffles Pittosporum will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Tasman Ruffles Pittosporum makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.