Pittosporum tobira
| Pittosporum tobira | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Width: | 13' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pittosporum tobira (common name: tobira)
Propagation: Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse[1][2]. The seed usually germinates freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, move the plants to a cold frame as soon as they are established and plant out late in the following spring[1]. Consider giving them some protection from the cold during their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Poor to fair percentage[1].
Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most well-drained soils of reasonably good quality in full sun or light shade[2]. Succeeds in dry soils[2]. Very resistant to maritime exposure[3]. Established plants are drought resistant[4].
Hardy to about -10°c[3], succeeding outdoors on the coast of S. England and in London[3]. Plants can be up to 10m tall in their native habitat but rarely exceed 2m in Britain.
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[2]. The flowers are very fragrant, with a scent reminiscent of orange blossom[5] and can pervade the air for a considerable distance[6].
Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required[2].
The species in this genus are very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus[2]. When growing a species from seed it is important to ensure that the seed either comes from a known wild source, or from isolated specimens in cultivation.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat: Rocky hillsides by the coast[3].
Usage: Very tolerant of pruning and maritime exposure, it can be grown as a wind resistant hedge. It can be used in shelterbelt plantings[2].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: This plant contains saponins[7][8]. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans, and although they are fairly toxic to people they are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. They are also broken down i
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Lassak, Erich and Tara McCarthy. Australian Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.