Common Name:

General Information

Pittosporum huttonianum is a rather sparingly-branched evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 10 metres tall[, ].
The plant is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a shelter hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

New Zealand - North Island

Habitat

Forest edges and regenerating forest; at elevations up to 700 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental

Cultivation Details

Pittosporum huttonianum is native to the warm temperate climate of North Island in New Zealand. It is not very cold-hard, but is able to tolerate short-lived lows down to around -5°c.
Pittosporum species generally grow best in a sunny position, but tolerate light shade. They succeed in most well-drained soils[, ].
A fast-growing species, developing into a tall, narrow specimen around 4 metres tall within three years in Oregon[].
The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental and hedge plant in New Zealand, where it is regarded as an attractive small tree[].
The flowers are strongly fragrant, the scent suggesting that of a Dianthus[].
The flowers can be hermaphrodite or unsexual[].
Although flowers usually appear to be hermaphrodite, many species of Pittosporum are functionally dioecious, with individual specimens bearing mainly or totally flowers of one sex only. Even so, occasional functionally hermaphrodite flowers will appear and, in at least some species, these flowers can be self-compatible and produce fertile seed even in the absence of any other plants of that species[].
The species in this genus are also very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus[]. 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.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing plant (it has reached 4 metres within 3 years in Oregon, USA), and very amenable to trimming. It has quite large evergreen leaves and is capable of withstanding strong winds, maing it useful for shelter plantings[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse[, ]. 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[]. Consider giving them some protection from the cold during their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].
Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[].