Pittosporum (Pittosporum 'Garnettii')
Pittosporum 'Garnettii' is a low-maintenance broadleaf evergreen prized for its variegated foliage and purple blooms. Hardy in Zones 9-10.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ offers year-round visual interest, making it a standout choice for gardeners seeking texture and lightly colored structure in the landscape. This cultivar of Pittosporum is prized primarily for its dense, upright habit and attractive foliage, which features deep gray-green leaves handsomely edged in creamy white, sometimes developing pink tints during cooler months. Pittosporum, as a genus, brings glossy evergreen leaves to the garden, and the ‘Garnettii’ variety excels as a screening or hedging plant where larger, more defined structure is required.
Discovered in New Zealand in the 1950s, Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ is a robust broadleaf evergreen known for its low maintenance demands once established. It combines the functional benefits of an excellent screen with the aesthetic appeal of variegation and the subtle reward of fragrant, bell-shaped purple flowers appearing in late spring and early summer. Gardeners value this Pittosporum for its versatility and reliability in warmer climates.
Growing up to 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide, this shrub maintains a neat, bushy shape, though it responds well to pruning to maintain specific formal hedges or even training it into a small, multi-trunked tree form. For Southern and mild-winter landscapes, Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ provides essential evergreen backbone.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Pittosporaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 10-15 ft
- Spread: 6-12 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ is best accomplished in spring or fall, allowing the root system time to develop before extreme summer heat or winter cold arrives. Aim for locations that provide full sun for the best variegation, though the plant tolerates part shade well. The ideal soil is average, slightly acidic, moderately fertile, and critically, must be medium moisture and well-drained, as this evergreen dislikes soggy roots.
General care for Pittosporum is straightforward due to its low maintenance level. Water consistently during the first year to establish the root ball. Once established, this variety exhibits good drought tolerance owing to its origins and adaptability. Fertilize sparingly in early spring if the soil is particularly poor, but avoiding over-fertilization preserves its natural, dense habit.
Pruning should primarily focus on shaping, especially if using the Pittosporum for a hedge or screen. Minor shaping can be done after the spring bloom. Be vigilant about potential pest issues like scale or aphids, addressing minor infestations quickly.
Landscape Uses
The Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ excels where structured evergreen mass is needed in the landscape. Its primary suggested use is as a formal or informal hedge, offering year-round screening due to its dense canopy and attractive variegated leaves. Where winter hardy (Zones 9-10), it performs beautifully as a specimen plant near patios or utilized in foundation plantings where its height (10-15 feet) will not overwhelm smaller architecture.
This versatile shrub can also be selectively pruned and trained into the shape of a small tree, revealing its somewhat ornamental branching structure and creating filtered light underneath. For gardeners outside these warm zones, Pittosporum can be successfully grown in containers, requiring overwintering indoors in a greenhouse or bright sunroom to protect it from frost damage.
In border designs, the creamy white margins on the leaves of Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ contrast excellently against darker green shrubs, deep purple foliage plants, or vibrant flowering perennials. It provides a constant, bright element even during the dormant season.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pittosporum is a genus of about 200 evergreen trees and shrubs from Australia, South Africa, South and East Asia and the Pacific Islands, primarily grown for their glossy, evergreen foliage. The ‘Garnettii’ cultivar is recognized as a dense, upright, bushy shrub featuring gray-green leaves edged with creamy white, blooming with small, bell-shaped purple flowers from late spring into early summer. This specific Pittosporum cultivar originated in Christchurch, New Zealand, and is thought to cross Pittosporum tenufolium with Pittospourm ralphii.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ is generally regarded as resistant to most serious insect or disease problems, making it a reliable landscape choice. However, vigilance is still recommended. Watch for sporadic issues such as minor infestations of aphids, scale, mealybugs, or whiteflies, which can usually be managed with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps addressed early.
Fungal issues are more concerning, particularly in overly wet or poorly draining conditions. Be proactive in watching for leaf spot, bacterial blight, and crown or root rot, the latter two being results of excessive watering or planting in heavy clay soils. Good air circulation and proper soil drainage are the best preventative measures for keeping your Pittosporum healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ suitable for?
This broadleaf evergreen is suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 10, where it enjoys sufficient winter protection.
How large does Pittosporum grow?
Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ typically matures to a height range of 10 to 15 feet, with a corresponding spread between 6 and 12 feet, forming a dense, bushy profile.
When does Pittosporum bloom?
This variety produces its small, bell-shaped purple flowers primarily between May and June.
What sun exposure does Pittosporum need?
For optimal performance and the brightest variegation on the leaves, Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ prefers full sun to part shade conditions.
Conclusion
Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ brings exceptional, low-maintenance structure and bright, variegated color to year-round gardens in frost-free regions. Its hardiness in Zones 9-10, combined with its utility as a screen or a specimen, solidifies its place as a preferred evergreen selection. Ensure you plan planting near well-drained, slightly acidic soil to allow this wonderful Pittosporum cultivar to thrive.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for your Pittosporum hedges, focus on plants that share similar sun and water needs, thriving alongside medium water requirements and full sun to part shade exposure. Consider pairing it with plants that offer contrasting textures or colors to highlight the creamy margins of the Pittosporum ‘Garnettii’ leaves. Low-spreading subtropical groundcovers that benefit from afternoon shade, such as Mondo Grass or Liriope, work well beneath taller specimens.
For structure behind shorter borders, consider pairing the height of the Pittosporum with taller, linear plants like upright grasses (e.g., Miscanthus varieties that are pruned back yearly in hardy zones) or slender Italian Cypress, providing a formal vertical contrast to the bushy form of the evergreen. Given its tolerance for some drought once settled, avoid planting it immediately adjacent to plants that require constantly saturated soil conditions.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the ideal time for general upkeep of your Pittosporum. Perform any necessary pruning to shape the shrub or control height just as new growth initiates, avoiding heavy cuts late in the season. This is also the best time to apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer sparingly if soil fertility is lacking.
In summer, monitor watering closely, especially during periods of high heat or drought, maintaining a medium soil moisture level. While established plants have drought tolerance, consistent deep watering during dry spells ensures the foliage remains lush and prevents leaf scorch. Monitor for common pests during warmer months.
Autumn maintenance involves cleaning up any dropped leaves beneath the Pittosporum and ensuring the base of the plant is clear before winter approaches. In areas bordering Zone 9b, ensure young plants or containers are well-mulched to insulate the root zones from potential light frosts commonly experienced in early winter.
