A dumb , fast - growing evergreen bush with fragrant blanched flowers
Nipponese pittosporumis a hearty evergreen plant shrub beloved for its near - indestructible nature . This honest grower is typically used as a landscape painting hedge or as part of a mixed border , where its rich green foliage and petite bloodless blooms render visual interestingness and grain . Japanese pittosporum has stiff branches and a dense , broad - spreading drug abuse that takes to pruning well . Plant it in full sunlight or fond shadowiness in moist , well - drained land . It tolerates drought , salt spray , and other less - than - idealistic grow conditions , boom in almost every representative .
Where to Plant Japanese Pittosporum
For practiced termination , plant your Nipponese pittosporum shrub in a position that boasts full Dominicus or partial specter and moist , well - draining soil . Native to China and Japan , the plant does well in soil with a variety of different pH levels , including both acidulous and alkaline . When planting Japanese pittosporum in an especially hot climate , it can be helpful to mulch around the basis of the flora for extra moisture retention .
Nipponese pittosporum is a democratic choice for coastal landscapes , thanks to its ability to hold out drouth , heat , and salinity nebuliser . set it en masse shot as a privateness hedge or woodland border , or use it in pots to contribute interest to a terrace or deck .
How and When to Plant Japanese Pittosporum
Japanese pittosporum is well establish in late winter or early bound when temperatures in its growing zones are milder . That said , the satisfying shrub can typically be planted with success class - round in its proper grow geographical zone .
To engraft a nursery specimen , dig a hollow as deep as the stem ball and twice as wide . Slide the works out of the greenhouse container and gently loosen the root before putting the bush in the golf hole with the crown of the plant sitting somewhat above dirt level . Backfill the hole with garden soil , press down lightly to squeeze it and take out zephyr pockets . Water the plant soundly .
Because Japanese pittosporum is a fast - originate shrub , you ’ll want to assure proper spatial arrangement of 4 to 5 feet between specimens so they can achieve their full sizing potential .

Credit:The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Japanese Pittosporum Care
For such a beautiful florescence bush , Japanese pittosporum is astonishingly easy to worry for . As long as you plant it in the right locating , the plant is fairly ego - sufficient and will thrive even under toughened environmental circumstance , like drouth , high hotness , and common salt atomiser .
Light
Japanese pittosporum does best when planted in a location that boasts full sun for at least six to eight hours a day ( though it can handle more ) . While the shrub will go forward to grow if site in the shade , you ’ll acknowledge a decrease in the amount of blooms it produces . Light can also influence the overall shape of the shrub . If grow in the Dominicus , it will take on a impenetrable , straggle anatomy similar to a hedge ; a location in the shade will ensue in a industrial plant that grows more like a traditional tree .
Soil and Water
If there ’s one thing to get correct when caring for Nipponese pittosporum , it ’s the works ’s watering cadence . While the bush prefers to be watered consistently , it should never be overwatered — Nipponese pittosporum is very susceptible to wet feet and will fail to thrive quite quickly if planted in badly draining soil . For good upshot , water the plant at the antecedent zone to prevent the dense leave of the plant from acquire mildew or another foliar disease .
Nipponese pittosporum can grow in any type of soil — from Henry Clay to loam to sand — as long as it ’s well - draining . If planting the bush in a locoweed or container , use a mix of perlite and peat . To help keep back moisture in specially live climate , put a stratum of mulch over the root at the base of operations of the plant .
Temperature and Humidity
Nipponese pittosporum grows comfortably in USDA hardiness zone 8 through 10 , in a variety of different clime range from drouth and gamey heat to seaside mist . Similarly , humidity does n’t matter as much for this flora , though you ’ll want to keep an eye out for fungous diseases in especially moist climates , given the bush ’s overall density .
Fertilizer
Pests and Problems
Though Japanese pittosporum is known to be a relatively scummy - criminal maintenance plant life , the bush is susceptible to several dissimilar pests and disease . One of the largest issues gardeners have to contend with is root rot , which can well hap if the works gets too much water or does not have the opportunity to dry out in between waterings . If you find yellow leaves or weakened plant social organisation , that ’s a skilful sign that your shrub may be know root hogwash .
Beyond moisture issue , Nipponese pittosporum can also bet host to common pests likeaphids , shell , andmealybugs . It ’s also beloved by cervid and birds and may draw pollinator like bees closer to your dwelling when in bloom .
How to Propagate Japanese Pittosporum
Japanese pittosporum is good propagated using a semi - hardwood newspaper clipping , taken from the bottom share of the plant . you could propagate the plant at any point in the summer or early fall , though the latter is often a better option in especially warm areas .
Your cut should be between 4 and 6 inches in duration from the low-toned portion of the plant life , from the current season ’s increment and feature full organise leave-taking . Remove the leaf from the bottom one-half of the press cutting , then souse the cut end of the works into a settle down hormone . Plant the cutting into a humble pot make full with peat moss and sandy filth , keeping it moist and under collateral light until the cutting off has begun to rootle and has grown new foliage . This typically encounter around the four - week brand and can be confirmed by giving the plant a gentle towboat — if you ’re suffer with resistance , that ’s a good indication the cutting has rooted . At this peak , the carving can be move out to your garden , where it should be watered frequently until established .
Types of Japanese Pittosporum
There are several dissimilar case of Nipponese pittosporum . They let in :
Wheeler’s Dwarf
An incredibly popular varietal , this shrub is beloved for its petite size and shiny dark green leaves .
Variegata
This subtly striped case of Nipponese pittosporum feature gray - immature leaves with creamy lily-white borders and smaller bloom .
Turner’s Dwarf
The little mound varietal boasts apple gullible leaves with a white outline and unimportant bloodless flower .
Japanese Pittosporum Companion Plants
To make the most of your Japanese pittosporum shrubs , set them alongside other full-blooded perennials that can bear the same condition and emphasise the plant ’s shaggy-coated nature . Some popular pick let in :
Sedge
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Sedgeis a sprawl sess - like mound plant that get along in various complementary colors and variegations . Hardy in geographical zone 3 through 10 , sedge is a great way to work optic interest to the ground spirit level of your garden while Japanese pittosporum fills the space above .
Catmint
An evenly elusive perennial , catminttouts the same allure to pollinator that Japanese pittosporum does . Dotted with light royal flowers , it thrives under the same conditions as Japanese pittosporum , involve a similar lacrimation cadence and vulnerability to sunlight .
Hydrangea
Becausehydrangeaand Japanese pittosporum both tend to favour well - drain soil , the two can be team up together nicely in a garden . Both plants have like hardiness zones ( hydrangea can digest zones 3 through 9 ) and requirements when it comes to water and sunlight . That said , both plants can grow rather large , so it ’s of import to space them apart right .
Frequently Asked Questions
No — because the works is grown in warmer climates ( Agriculture zone 8 through 10 ) , it will not require particular upkeep during its off - season , which can range from tardy fall to other fountain .
When using Nipponese pittosporum to create a privacy border or hedging , the exact number of plant you ’ll need will bet for the most part on the size of hedge you ’re aiming for . You should contrive to leave 4 to 5 feet of space in between each shrub for growth .

Credit:The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

Credit: Denny Schrock

When we think of hydrangeas, we usually think of bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) (shown here) and mountain hydrangeas (Hydrangea serrata).Credit: Courtesy of “Sonia’s Garden” by Sonia Uyterhoeven and The New York Botanical Garden