Plant Finder

Other Names:  Tawhiwhi, Pittosporum nigricans

Description:

An evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense multi-stemmed habit and gray green glossy foliage with white edges; small clusters of white flowers in spring upon nearly black new stems; a shining landscape accent or screen

Ornamental Features

Variegated Kohuhu has attractive grayish green foliage edged in white which emerges buttery yellow in spring on a plant with an oval habit of growth. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter. It features subtle clusters of fragrant white flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer.

Landscape Attributes

Variegated Kohuhu is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely oval form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Variegated Kohuhu is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Variegated Kohuhu will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.