Moist Well Drained
- Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Green Lustre’ is a hardy, evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Closely related to the standard Karo, it differs in that it features glossy green leaves on top with a soft, felted underside. This compact tree adds texture and depth to any garden. In spring, it blooms with sweetly scented purple flowers. These are especially fragrant during still mornings or calm evenings, adding charm to outdoor spaces. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions and handles windy sites and coastal exposure. Whether trimmed into a neat hedge or left to grow naturally, it forms a dense screen. Typically, it reaches around 6 metres tall and 4 metres wide.
- Pittosporum eugenioides – Lemonwood, also known as Tatara, is a moderately fast-growing evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It naturally forms a bushy, pyramidal shape, making it a striking addition to any landscape. Its large green leaves release a refreshing lemon scent when crushed. In spring, clusters of small white-cream flowers bloom with a fragrant aroma. These are followed by black seed capsules that attract native and seed-loving birds. This tree thrives in full sun and prefers free-draining soil. Once established, it tolerates moderately windy conditions. Ideal for medium sized hedging or larger screening, Lemonwood responds beautifully to trimming. It typically grows to around 6 metres tall and 4 metres wide, offering both height and density.
- Pittosporum pimeleoides is a rare, native evergreen shrub of New Zealand and is considered nationally endangered. With its much-branched, low-growing form, it features very tiny, narrow, often whorled leaves. This distinctive shrub produces fragrant, red-striped yellow flowers, followed by capsules containing black, sticky seeds in bright orange pith. Endemic to the northern North Island, it naturally thrives in coastal shrubland and is often associated with kauri forest habitats. Growing to around 80-1.0m metres tall, Pittosporum pimeleoides prefers well-drained soil as it struggles in heavy, wet clay. However, it adapts well to both high-light and shaded conditions. Its rarity and winter fragrance makes it a perfect talking point in any garden but is well suited for smaller gardens or pots.
- Pittosporum tenuifolium – Kohuhu is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It is the parent plant of many popular cultivars, which have developed from the natural variation found in seed‑grown plants. Within the tenuifolium family, foliage varies widely. Leaves range from deep green to softly variegated or glaucous tones, with both long and short forms. Because of this diversity, many cutting‑grown cultivars have emerged over time. As a tree, Kohuhu grows quickly and develops a dense, rounded habit. It prefers full sun and moist, well‑drained soil. Furthermore, it trims easily, making it ideal for larger screens or compact hedges. In spring, it produces small purple flowers with a sweet fragrance, especially noticeable on still mornings or evenings. Ultimately, Pittosporum tenuifolium reaches approximately 5 × 3 metres.
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- Description
Compact bushy small tree with an excellent rounded habit. Leaves lettuce green small and fresh-looking. Small purple flowers are fragrant in the stillness or morning or evening. Full sun dry tolerant once established. Trims well so ideal as a hedge planted in rows or individually as a specimen or left to grow on as a trimmed screen. Ideal in a smaller garden. Height x Width 3 x 3 Range Small 1-5m Growth Rate Moderate Plant Type Tree Shape Round Country of Origin New Zealand Similar to Consider Other Pittosporums - Leaf
Leaf Colour Green Lime - Flower
Flower Colour Red Purple Fragrant? No - Uses
Screening Yes Hedging Yes Bird Feeding Yes Small Garden Yes Note: Growth, height and grade information are given in good faith but are subject to natural variables beyond our control. - Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Wrinkle Blue’ – Kohuhu, is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Compact and fast-growing, it naturally forms a pyramidal shape, making it ideal for structured landscapes. Its wavy, green-blue leaves add texture and colour year-round. In spring, purple flowers bloom, releasing a sweet fragrance during early mornings and evenings. This tree thrives in moist, well-drained soil and prefers a sunny position. When regularly trimmed, it makes an excellent hedge. Typically, it grows to approximately 4 metres tall and 3 metres wide. Interestingly, tenuifolium translates to “with slender leaves,” reflecting its elegant foliage
- Plagianthus regius – Manatu or Ribbonwood is one of the few deciduous trees native to New Zealand. It begins life as a slender, columnar tree with tangled branches and small, green, toothed leaves. As it matures, the tree develops a rounded crown and its leaves enlarge, resembling those of a birch. Meanwhile, its bark becomes stringy and peels into ribbon-like strips—though peeling is harmful and should be avoided. In spring, masses of small yellow-green flowers blanket the tree, creating a soft glow that attracts nectar-feeding birds. This seasonal display adds charm and biodiversity to any garden. Ribbonwood thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Growing to approximately 6 x 3 meters, it suits narrow spaces beautifully and adds vertical interest to compact landscapes. Endemic to New Zealand, this unique tree offers both ecological value and ornamental appeal..
- Platanus orientalis – Oriental Plane is a fast-growing, deciduous tree known for its broad, rounded crown. Its large, maple-like green leaves are deeply lobed and turn a rich golden hue in autumn, adding seasonal interest to any landscape. One of its standout features is the bark, which flakes off in patches on the trunk and older branches, revealing a beautifully dappled surface. This adds texture and character throughout the year. Adaptable to most soil types, it tolerates clay and thrives even in polluted urban environments. However, it’s best to avoid overly wet soils for long-term health and growth. Ideal for parks, farms, and large open spaces, it makes an excellent shade, avenue or specimen tree. In 10 years, it can reach around 8 metres tall and 5 metres wide, eventually maturing to 15 x 7 metres or more. The name orientalis means “relating to the Orient,” reflecting its origins in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Platanus orientalis ‘Autumn Glory’ is a selected form of the Oriental Plane, known for its fast growth and impressive structure. This deciduous tree quickly develops a large, rounded crown of branches, making it a standout in spacious landscapes. Its large, palmate green leaves resemble maple foliage and are deeply lobed into three or more sections. In autumn, they add seasonal interest with golden tones. The bark flakes in patches on older branches, revealing a dappled surface that adds year-round texture. While it tolerates most soils, it prefers moist, well-drained conditions for optimal growth. Ideal for parks, farms, avenues, and large properties, it provides excellent shade and visual appeal. Originating from Duncan and Davies in New Zealand, it typically grows to around 9 metres tall and 5 metres wide.
- Platanus x acerifolia – London Plane is a fast-growing, deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown. Its large, maple-like palmate leaves measure 20–25cm across. Deep green and glossy with a white felt underside, they turn a rich golden yellow in autumn, creating a striking seasonal display. One of its standout features is the bark, which flakes off in patches on the trunk and older branches, revealing a beautifully dappled surface. This adds texture and character throughout the year. The London Plane tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay, and thrives even in polluted urban environments. However, it’s best to avoid overly wet conditions for optimal growth and longevity. Perfect for parks, farms, and large open spaces, it provides excellent shade and structure. It can reach approximately 8 x 7 metres in 10 years and may grow to 20 x 7 metres at full maturity. The botanical name acerifolia means “with leaves like a maple,” reflecting its foliage. Its origins trace back to England, where it was first cultivated.
- The Plum ‘Luisa’ (Prunus domestica – European Plum) is a fast-growing, compact deciduous tree with an open habit and dark green foliage. In spring, it bursts into masses of white blossoms that create a striking display.After flowering, the tree produces large, uniquely heart‑shaped plums. They have yellow‑orange skin with very sweet, juicy, yellow flesh, and they are semi‑freestone. You can expect harvests around January to February. This self‑fertile New Zealand variety grows to approximately 5 x 3 metres making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and full sun, which helps maximise cropping and ripening. ‘Luisa’ was originally discovered in Hamilton, making it a uniquely local favourite.
- Podocarpus gracilior, also known as African Fern Pine, is a dense evergreen conifer with a graceful pyramidal shape. Native to East Africa, it adds elegance and structure to any landscape. Its slender branches feature lush, glossy, needle-like foliage in deep green tones. This refined texture makes it a standout choice for both formal and natural garden designs. Thriving in sunny spots with moist, well-drained soil, it adapts well to various conditions. It’s ideal for use as a street tree or a striking specimen in larger gardens. For added versatility, it can be trimmed into a hedge, shaped as a pleached hedge, or grown as a tall shelter or screen. Mature plants can reach approximately 10 x 5 metres.
- Podocarpus henkelii – Henkel’s Yellow Wood is a South African species of Podocarp that forms a compact, upright tree. Its distinctive pyramidal shape is enhanced by weeping branches covered in long, slender, glossy dark-green leaves. In spring, new shoots emerge in a striking salmon-pink shade, adding seasonal colour and contrast. Although slower growing, this tree develops into a graceful feature with year-round appeal. Henkel’s Yellow Wood prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun. However, it resents waterlogging and should be protected from heavy frosts. The Podocarp family also includes New Zealand’s native Podocarpus totara, making this species a fascinating relative. Growing to approximately 5 x 4 metres in ten years, it is an excellent choice for smaller gardens.
- Podocarpus macrophyllus – Japanese Yew Pine generally grows upright with a narrow or pyramidal habit when young. Over time, it matures into a broader form if left untrimmed, creating a graceful and structured presence in the garden. Its long, narrow foliage is rich green which makes it a striking focal point and provides year-round appeal. Moreover, this species tolerates a wide range of soils, provided they are moist yet free-draining, though it resents waterlogging. Japanese Yew Pine grows best in full sun and is easily trimmed. Because it is slow growing, it requires little maintenance, making it an excellent hedge or screen. Growing slowly to approximately 6 x 4 metres in ten years, this tree offers both resilience and elegance. The Podocarp family also includes New Zealand’s native Podocarpus totara.
- Height x Width: 6 x 4m 10yr
- Height Range: Medium 5-10m
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Plant Type: Tree
- Shape / Habit: Pyramidal
- Deciduous / Evergreen: Evergreen
- Country of Origin: South East Asia
- Similar to Consider: Podocarpus totara, Podocarpus gracilor, Podocarpus totara Aurea, Podocarpus totara Black Bridge, Podocarpus Totara Ardmore Green
- Leaf Colour: Green
- Soil Conditions: Moist well drained
- Climate Conditions: Prefers growing in Full Sun
- Uses: Feature, Screening, Hedging, Small Garden
- Podocarpus totara, commonly known as Totara, is a large evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It’s well-suited to spacious landscapes and admired for its strong form and resilience. In its juvenile stage, Totara grows quickly with slender branches and bronze, needle-like foliage. As it matures, growth slows and the tree develops a denser, more branching habit. Eventually, it forms a broad, rounded crown with short, dark green foliage. The stout trunk features rough, reddish-brown bark, adding texture and character. Totara thrives in well-drained soil and, once established, tolerates dry conditions. It’s ideal as a stand-alone specimen, for screening, or clipped into a formal hedge. Under ideal conditions, Totara can reach 20–25 metres at full maturity. In about 10 years, expect growth of approximately 10 x 4 metres.
- Podocarpus totara 'Black Bridge', also known as Upright Totara, is a bushier and more upright form of the native NZ Totara. Unlike the standard Totara, it skips the thin juvenile stage and instead develops a dense, strong structure from an early age. As a result, it offers a robust and tidy appearance right from the start. With a moderate growth rate, this versatile tree is ideal as a stand-alone specimen in areas where space is limited. Alternatively, it can be easily trimmed into a compact hedge or allowed to grow on and shaped into a screen or shelter belt. Furthermore, once established, it tolerates drier conditions well—although it still prefers moist, well-drained soil for optimal health. Thanks to its hardiness and adaptability, 'Totora Black Bridge' is an excellent choice for a wide range of garden styles. Ultimately, it reaches approximately 8 x 5 meters, making it a striking yet manageable feature in any landscape.
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- Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’ – Blue Totara is a distinctive New Zealand native Totara with a more upright, open pyramidal form. Its striking blue-grey, needle-like foliage adds unique colour and texture to any landscape. This slow-growing evergreen prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It’s hardy and adaptable, making it suitable for a range of garden styles and conditions. Ideal as a specimen tree, it can also be trimmed into a hedge or left to grow as a natural screen. Its elegant structure offers year-round interest. In optimal conditions, Blue Totara can reach approximately 7 x 5 metres at maturity.
- Podocarpus totara ‘Ardmore Green’ is a strong, sturdy evergreen native to New Zealand. From an early age, it displays dense, dark green foliage, closely resembling the mature Totara tree. It thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Thanks to its tolerance for wind and coastal conditions, it suits a wide range of garden environments. With slow, steady growth, ‘Ardmore Green’ is easy to manage in gardens of any size. Its compact nature makes it ideal for structured planting. Use it as a stand-alone specimen, for avenues, or as a large screen or shelter. When trimmed, it forms a robust hedge with a Yew-like appearance. In ideal conditions, it can reach approximately 7 x 5 metres at maturity.
- Podocarpus totara ‘Aurea’ – Golden Totara, is a striking evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Closely resembling its parent species, it stands out with rich golden foliage when grown in full sun. From a young age, it forms a bushy, compact shape that adds texture and colour to any landscape. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and should not be planted in wet areas. This hardy tree tolerates wind and coastal conditions, making it suitable for exposed sites. Its slow growth allows for easy maintenance in gardens of all sizes. Golden Totara can be trimmed to shape and works beautifully as a hedge, screen, or larger shelter. In ideal conditions, it reaches approximately 10 x 6 metres at maturity.
- Prunus campanulata ‘Pink Cloud’ is a fast-growing, deciduous Taiwan Cherry variety that brings vibrant colour and graceful form to the garden. As a hybrid campanulata cultivar, it develops into a small, neat, round-headed specimen with spreading branches—perfect for compact spaces. During summer, its green foliage provides a lush canopy, which gradually shifts to tones of yellow and orange in autumn. Notably, ‘Pink Cloud’ is among the earliest flowering cherry trees, producing masses of soft-pink single blooms from late winter into early spring. These bell-shaped flowers (reflected in the Latin name campanulata, meaning “bell-like”) are a favourite of native Tui, adding life to the garden. Thriving in moist, well-drained soil, this cherry prefers a sunny, sheltered position for optimal growth and flowering. Because of its manageable size, reaching approximately 5 x 4 metres, it’s an ideal shade tree for smaller urban gardens, courtyards, or lining avenues. Additionally, it can be trimmed to maintain a desired height and shape. Whether you're looking to attract wildlife or add early-season colour, ‘Pink Cloud’ offers charm, structure, and seasonal delight.
