Re: Pittosporums

The Pittosporum cultivars seem to be particularly abundant here in W. Australia, with quite a number of variegations on offer. These are mostly variations on eugenioides and tenuifolium. Palmers Manual [NZ] lists 41! Of these I've only seen a handful but they are extraordinarily attractive plants, even to many of those who normally object to variegated leaves. Perhaps the neat form and glossy leaves lend themselves to variegated-attractiveness!
P eugenioides "variegata" is likewise a lovely thing, resembling a pool of dappled sunlight. The Pittosporums also seem mostly to have the added attraction of being long lasting and excellent cut foliage, many are grown for this purpose.
I find they aren't really drought tolerant, needing as Glenn says regular though infrequent watering. They seem to flourish in sandy soils, but are slower here on my sandy loam. They hate wet feet, but most conditions thats seem to suit Hebes seem to suit them. Go for it Tim!
Cheers,
Margaret.
 
 
Margaret and Peter Moir
Olive Hill Farm
Margaret River, Western Australia.
     www.wn.com.au/olivehill
----- Original Message -----
From: Glenn Breayley <valhalla@iafrica.com>
To: <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2000 3:47 PM
Subject: Re: Pittosporums

>
>
>
> >Interested in Jason and Moira's postings on pittosporums. Agree
> >entirely about the desirability of P. eugenioides. It flourishes here
> >in coastal North Cumbria, UK, and visitors who see it can be relied on
> >to enter a state of overheated what's-that-ing. Given the light
> >yellow-green of the leaves of the type, it's certainly  difficult to
> >see what advantage a variegated form could offer.
> >
> >Are there, I wonder, other garden-worthy pittosporums which might be
> >worth trying?? - and which might manage my conditions...
> >
> >
> >Tim Longville
>
>
> Hi Tim. - The Pittosporums used to be big here, then a phytophora specific
> to them was introduced & they rapidly fell out of favour. Things seem to
> have righted themselves now though & they're coming around on a cycle of
> fashionability again. Pittosporum crassifolium is a real must for dry Med.
> gardens. I also have a lot of success with the varieties of P. tenuifolium.
> They'd suit you well & while I wouldn't label them as fully drought hardy
> they are marginal. A couple I have established along my fence line would get
> by on a three weekly drip watering now. Moira could probably best fill you
> in on the most desirable varieties - which I'm sure I've never even heard of
> here - but all the ones I know are lovely rounded & gracious shrubs. Very
> desirable.
>
> Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
> POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
> Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
> Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
>
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