PITTOSPORUM Irene Patterson

A compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub valued for its distinctive foliage: new leaves open near-white before maturing to dark green speckled with white, with rounded, gently wavy margins. In late spring it bears small, purple, sweetly fragrant flowers among the leaves. Grow in full sun to light shade, in a sheltered position with moist but well‑drained, moderately fertile soil. Reaches about 1.5 m x 1.5 m in time. Excellent for coastal gardens and containers, and useful for low hedging and mixed borders; foliage is also good for cutting. Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun to light shade; sheltered

Rate of Growth: Slow

Soil: Moist but well-drained, moderately fertile

Hardiness: Frost hardy in mild areas; shelter from cold, drying winds

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Plant at a Glance