Variegated Pittosporum (Pittosporum Tobira Variegata)
Regular price
$55.00
Size
Transform Your Landscape with Year-Round Evergreen Beauty
Variegated Pittosporum gives your landscape attractive, low-maintenance structure with glossy cream-edged foliage, dense growth, and fragrant spring flowers.
Also known as variegated Japanese pittosporum or Japanese Mock Orange, this broadleaved evergreen shrub brings year-round color contrast without depending on blooms. Its compact natural form works beautifully in hedges, foundation plantings, accent areas, and coastal landscapes where a tough, easy care plant needs to look polished in every season.
Why You’ll Love It
-
Striking Variegated Foliage – Leathery, semi-glossy, obovate leaves show sage-green to light green centers with creamy-white borders, creating variegated foliage that stays attractive all year.
-
Fragrant Spring Blooms – In mid-spring, the plant produces clusters of five-petaled white flowers with a strong orange blossom fragrance.
-
Drought Tolerant – Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water.
-
Salt Tolerant – Variegated Pittosporum is exceptionally salt-tolerant, making it suitable for coastal regions, and is also resistant to deer and drought once established.
-
Versatile Landscape Use – This pittosporum works as a hedge, screen, foundation planting, accent shrub, small specimen, or container plant depending on the cultivar and pruning style, similar to how Silver Sheen Pittosporum is used for privacy hedges and screens.
What Makes It Different
Most shrubs offer either evergreen structure or seasonal flowers, but few deliver both colorful foliage and fragrance with this level of adaptability. Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’ is a popular cultivar known for its attractive variegated foliage and adaptability to various growing conditions.
Variegated Pittosporum provides:
-
Unique Variegation Pattern – Creamy white leaf margins surround green centers for a bright, layered look that single-color shrubs cannot match.
-
Compact Growth Habit – Dense foliage and a naturally rounded shape make it easy to maintain, whether lightly pruned, shaped into a hedge, or trained by removing lower branches.
-
Superior Landscape Durability – Variegated Pittosporum thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11 and is known for its effective performance in a variety of landscape applications, especially where salt tolerance, drought tolerance, and easy care matter.
Dwarf selections add even more flexibility. The ‘Mojo’ cultivar of Pittosporum tobira is a dwarf evergreen shrub that features dense variegated foliage and is known for its cold-hardiness and salt tolerance, making it suitable for coastal planting, and it pairs well with other Cheesewood and Pittosporum varieties in mixed landscapes.
How To Grow Variegated Pittosporum
-
Step 1 - Site Selection and Planting
Choose a location with well drained soil and sun to shade exposure. This plant prefers sun to shade, with variegated cultivars benefiting from afternoon shade to maintain their color. Avoid planting where water accumulates, because poor drainage can lead to root rot diseases. -
Step 2 - Establishment Period
Water regularly during the first growing season to help the young plant develop a strong root system. Once established, variegated pittosporum is drought tolerant, but it is healthiest when provided with regular watering, especially during establishment. -
Step 3 - Long-term Enjoyment
As the plant becomes mature, it needs less frequent water, light pruning, and occasional monitoring for common problems like aphids or cottony cushion scale. Prune immediately after flowering to avoid removing next year’s flowers, as pruning too late in the season can affect blooming.
Short-term care builds long-term performance: strong roots, dense branches, reliable color, and a clean landscape shape with less frequent pruning than many formal shrubs, much like the tidy structure of Globe Japanese Boxwood for hedges and foundation plantings.
Plant Details
-
Mature Size: Typically maintained at 6-8 feet tall and wide; the mature height of variegated pittosporum can reach 8 to 12 feet, making it suitable for larger landscape applications
-
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast initially, then slows with age and regular shaping
-
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-11, hardy to approximately 10-20°F in protected conditions
-
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hotter areas
-
Soil Needs: Variegated pittosporum is tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including sandy, loamy, or clayey soils, as long as the soil is well-drained
-
Heavy Clay Tip: For optimal growth, Variegated Pittosporum prefers well-draining soil and should be elevated slightly when planted in heavy clay to prevent root rot
-
Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring, with creamy white flowers and orange blossom fragrance
-
Deer Resistance: Moderate to high
-
Salt Tolerance: Excellent salt tolerance for coastal landscapes
-
Best Uses: Hedge, privacy screen, foundation plantings, mixed borders, accent shrub, container, and larger landscape areas, especially when combined with other evergreen privacy trees and shrubs
-
Dwarf Options: Dwarf cultivars of variegated pittosporum are ideal for foundation plantings and can also be used in containers, providing versatility in landscape design
-
Small-Space Cultivars: Dwarf cultivars of Pittosporum, such as ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’, can reach heights of only 2 to 3 feet at maturity, making them ideal for smaller garden spaces and foundation plantings or pairing with compact flowering shrubs like Autumn Sage and other small-scale plants
Who It’s For
Ideal for:
-
California homeowners seeking a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with variegated foliage
-
Coastal property owners needing excellent salt tolerance and dependable curb appeal
-
Gardeners who want fragrant flowers, dense foliage, and year-round color, and may also be considering flowering trees that add seasonal blooms
-
Landscapers designing hedges, screens, foundation plantings, or larger landscape applications, including drought-tolerant companions like Black Sage for xeriscape and wildlife gardens
-
Homeowners with small spaces who prefer dwarf cultivars like Mojo or Wheeler’s Dwarf for containers and compact beds
Variegated pittosporum is well-suited for use as hedges and screens due to its rapid growth rate and dense foliage. If you want an attractive, sustainable landscape plant that can grow in sun, partial shade, sandy soil, loamy soil, or well drained clay, this pittosporum fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maintenance does variegated pittosporum require?
Very little once established. It has a naturally dense, rounded shape and can be maintained with light pruning or shearing. For best bloom performance, prune immediately after the spring flowers fade so you do not remove next year’s flowers.
Will it survive California’s dry summers?
Yes. Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water. For the healthiest growth, water regularly during the first growing season and provide occasional deep watering during long dry periods.
Ready to Enhance Your Garden?
Choose Variegated Pittosporum for hedges, foundation plantings, coastal yards, containers, and year-round curb appeal, and consider complementing it with Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia and other ornamental trees. Yardwork offers expert consultation, California delivery, plant expertise, and a satisfaction guarantee to help your new pittosporum get off to a strong start, along with an extensive online plant nursery of trees, shrubs, and garden supplies.
Transform Your Landscape with Year-Round Evergreen Beauty
Variegated Pittosporum gives your landscape attractive, low-maintenance structure with glossy cream-edged foliage, dense growth, and fragrant spring flowers.
Also known as variegated Japanese pittosporum or Japanese Mock Orange, this broadleaved evergreen shrub brings year-round color contrast without depending on blooms. Its compact natural form works beautifully in hedges, foundation plantings, accent areas, and coastal landscapes where a tough, easy care plant needs to look polished in every season.
Why You’ll Love It
-
Striking Variegated Foliage – Leathery, semi-glossy, obovate leaves show sage-green to light green centers with creamy-white borders, creating variegated foliage that stays attractive all year.
-
Fragrant Spring Blooms – In mid-spring, the plant produces clusters of five-petaled white flowers with a strong orange blossom fragrance.
-
Drought Tolerant – Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water.
-
Salt Tolerant – Variegated Pittosporum is exceptionally salt-tolerant, making it suitable for coastal regions, and is also resistant to deer and drought once established.
-
Versatile Landscape Use – This pittosporum works as a hedge, screen, foundation planting, accent shrub, small specimen, or container plant depending on the cultivar and pruning style, similar to how Silver Sheen Pittosporum is used for privacy hedges and screens.
What Makes It Different
Most shrubs offer either evergreen structure or seasonal flowers, but few deliver both colorful foliage and fragrance with this level of adaptability. Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’ is a popular cultivar known for its attractive variegated foliage and adaptability to various growing conditions.
Variegated Pittosporum provides:
-
Unique Variegation Pattern – Creamy white leaf margins surround green centers for a bright, layered look that single-color shrubs cannot match.
-
Compact Growth Habit – Dense foliage and a naturally rounded shape make it easy to maintain, whether lightly pruned, shaped into a hedge, or trained by removing lower branches.
-
Superior Landscape Durability – Variegated Pittosporum thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11 and is known for its effective performance in a variety of landscape applications, especially where salt tolerance, drought tolerance, and easy care matter.
Dwarf selections add even more flexibility. The ‘Mojo’ cultivar of Pittosporum tobira is a dwarf evergreen shrub that features dense variegated foliage and is known for its cold-hardiness and salt tolerance, making it suitable for coastal planting, and it pairs well with other Cheesewood and Pittosporum varieties in mixed landscapes.
How To Grow Variegated Pittosporum
-
Step 1 - Site Selection and Planting
Choose a location with well drained soil and sun to shade exposure. This plant prefers sun to shade, with variegated cultivars benefiting from afternoon shade to maintain their color. Avoid planting where water accumulates, because poor drainage can lead to root rot diseases. -
Step 2 - Establishment Period
Water regularly during the first growing season to help the young plant develop a strong root system. Once established, variegated pittosporum is drought tolerant, but it is healthiest when provided with regular watering, especially during establishment. -
Step 3 - Long-term Enjoyment
As the plant becomes mature, it needs less frequent water, light pruning, and occasional monitoring for common problems like aphids or cottony cushion scale. Prune immediately after flowering to avoid removing next year’s flowers, as pruning too late in the season can affect blooming.
Short-term care builds long-term performance: strong roots, dense branches, reliable color, and a clean landscape shape with less frequent pruning than many formal shrubs, much like the tidy structure of Globe Japanese Boxwood for hedges and foundation plantings.
Plant Details
-
Mature Size: Typically maintained at 6-8 feet tall and wide; the mature height of variegated pittosporum can reach 8 to 12 feet, making it suitable for larger landscape applications
-
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast initially, then slows with age and regular shaping
-
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-11, hardy to approximately 10-20°F in protected conditions
-
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hotter areas
-
Soil Needs: Variegated pittosporum is tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including sandy, loamy, or clayey soils, as long as the soil is well-drained
-
Heavy Clay Tip: For optimal growth, Variegated Pittosporum prefers well-draining soil and should be elevated slightly when planted in heavy clay to prevent root rot
-
Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring, with creamy white flowers and orange blossom fragrance
-
Deer Resistance: Moderate to high
-
Salt Tolerance: Excellent salt tolerance for coastal landscapes
-
Best Uses: Hedge, privacy screen, foundation plantings, mixed borders, accent shrub, container, and larger landscape areas, especially when combined with other evergreen privacy trees and shrubs
-
Dwarf Options: Dwarf cultivars of variegated pittosporum are ideal for foundation plantings and can also be used in containers, providing versatility in landscape design
-
Small-Space Cultivars: Dwarf cultivars of Pittosporum, such as ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’, can reach heights of only 2 to 3 feet at maturity, making them ideal for smaller garden spaces and foundation plantings or pairing with compact flowering shrubs like Autumn Sage and other small-scale plants
Who It’s For
Ideal for:
-
California homeowners seeking a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with variegated foliage
-
Coastal property owners needing excellent salt tolerance and dependable curb appeal
-
Gardeners who want fragrant flowers, dense foliage, and year-round color, and may also be considering flowering trees that add seasonal blooms
-
Landscapers designing hedges, screens, foundation plantings, or larger landscape applications, including drought-tolerant companions like Black Sage for xeriscape and wildlife gardens
-
Homeowners with small spaces who prefer dwarf cultivars like Mojo or Wheeler’s Dwarf for containers and compact beds
Variegated pittosporum is well-suited for use as hedges and screens due to its rapid growth rate and dense foliage. If you want an attractive, sustainable landscape plant that can grow in sun, partial shade, sandy soil, loamy soil, or well drained clay, this pittosporum fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maintenance does variegated pittosporum require?
Very little once established. It has a naturally dense, rounded shape and can be maintained with light pruning or shearing. For best bloom performance, prune immediately after the spring flowers fade so you do not remove next year’s flowers.
Will it survive California’s dry summers?
Yes. Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water. For the healthiest growth, water regularly during the first growing season and provide occasional deep watering during long dry periods.
Ready to Enhance Your Garden?
Choose Variegated Pittosporum for hedges, foundation plantings, coastal yards, containers, and year-round curb appeal, and consider complementing it with Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia and other ornamental trees. Yardwork offers expert consultation, California delivery, plant expertise, and a satisfaction guarantee to help your new pittosporum get off to a strong start, along with an extensive online plant nursery of trees, shrubs, and garden supplies.
Plants vary greatly by type and no guarantees are made on sizing.
However here is a rough idea of sizes based on containers that are direct from our growing grounds.
15 Gallon Shrub 3-4 Ft. Tall
15 Gallon Tree 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Shrub 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Tree 6-7 Ft. Tall
36" Box Tree 8-10 Ft. Tall
48" Box Tree 10-12 Ft. Tall
Please note: Citrus and California Native plants such as Manzanita are smaller than traditional sizing.
Please contact us to confirm sizing of items before purchasing if this is a concern.
Plants vary greatly by type and no guarantees are made on sizing.
However here is a rough idea of sizes based on containers that are direct from our growing grounds.
15 Gallon Shrub 3-4 Ft. Tall
15 Gallon Tree 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Shrub 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Tree 6-7 Ft. Tall
36" Box Tree 8-10 Ft. Tall
48" Box Tree 10-12 Ft. Tall
Please note: Citrus and California Native plants such as Manzanita are smaller than traditional sizing.
Please contact us to confirm sizing of items before purchasing if this is a concern.
Delivery does not include unloading of trees and plants larger than a 24" box.
Trees and plants in smaller containers will be dropped curbside.
Delivery beyond a curbside drop will be charged extra.
Trees and plants that are sold in container sizes larger than a 24" box size will require equipment and an operator onsite to help unload from the truck.
Please reach out to our team PRIOR to placing your order to coordinate.
Our team can provide unloading assistance with equipment for an extra fee.
Delivery does not include unloading of trees and plants larger than a 24" box.
Trees and plants in smaller containers will be dropped curbside.
Delivery beyond a curbside drop will be charged extra.
Trees and plants that are sold in container sizes larger than a 24" box size will require equipment and an operator onsite to help unload from the truck.
Please reach out to our team PRIOR to placing your order to coordinate.
Our team can provide unloading assistance with equipment for an extra fee.
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Variegated Pittosporum (Pittosporum Tobira Variegata)
Regular price
$55.00
Size
Transform Your Landscape with Year-Round Evergreen Beauty
Variegated Pittosporum gives your landscape attractive, low-maintenance structure with glossy cream-edged foliage, dense growth, and fragrant spring flowers.
Also known as variegated Japanese pittosporum or Japanese Mock Orange, this broadleaved evergreen shrub brings year-round color contrast without depending on blooms. Its compact natural form works beautifully in hedges, foundation plantings, accent areas, and coastal landscapes where a tough, easy care plant needs to look polished in every season.
Why You’ll Love It
-
Striking Variegated Foliage – Leathery, semi-glossy, obovate leaves show sage-green to light green centers with creamy-white borders, creating variegated foliage that stays attractive all year.
-
Fragrant Spring Blooms – In mid-spring, the plant produces clusters of five-petaled white flowers with a strong orange blossom fragrance.
-
Drought Tolerant – Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water.
-
Salt Tolerant – Variegated Pittosporum is exceptionally salt-tolerant, making it suitable for coastal regions, and is also resistant to deer and drought once established.
-
Versatile Landscape Use – This pittosporum works as a hedge, screen, foundation planting, accent shrub, small specimen, or container plant depending on the cultivar and pruning style, similar to how Silver Sheen Pittosporum is used for privacy hedges and screens.
What Makes It Different
Most shrubs offer either evergreen structure or seasonal flowers, but few deliver both colorful foliage and fragrance with this level of adaptability. Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’ is a popular cultivar known for its attractive variegated foliage and adaptability to various growing conditions.
Variegated Pittosporum provides:
-
Unique Variegation Pattern – Creamy white leaf margins surround green centers for a bright, layered look that single-color shrubs cannot match.
-
Compact Growth Habit – Dense foliage and a naturally rounded shape make it easy to maintain, whether lightly pruned, shaped into a hedge, or trained by removing lower branches.
-
Superior Landscape Durability – Variegated Pittosporum thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11 and is known for its effective performance in a variety of landscape applications, especially where salt tolerance, drought tolerance, and easy care matter.
Dwarf selections add even more flexibility. The ‘Mojo’ cultivar of Pittosporum tobira is a dwarf evergreen shrub that features dense variegated foliage and is known for its cold-hardiness and salt tolerance, making it suitable for coastal planting, and it pairs well with other Cheesewood and Pittosporum varieties in mixed landscapes.
How To Grow Variegated Pittosporum
-
Step 1 - Site Selection and Planting
Choose a location with well drained soil and sun to shade exposure. This plant prefers sun to shade, with variegated cultivars benefiting from afternoon shade to maintain their color. Avoid planting where water accumulates, because poor drainage can lead to root rot diseases. -
Step 2 - Establishment Period
Water regularly during the first growing season to help the young plant develop a strong root system. Once established, variegated pittosporum is drought tolerant, but it is healthiest when provided with regular watering, especially during establishment. -
Step 3 - Long-term Enjoyment
As the plant becomes mature, it needs less frequent water, light pruning, and occasional monitoring for common problems like aphids or cottony cushion scale. Prune immediately after flowering to avoid removing next year’s flowers, as pruning too late in the season can affect blooming.
Short-term care builds long-term performance: strong roots, dense branches, reliable color, and a clean landscape shape with less frequent pruning than many formal shrubs, much like the tidy structure of Globe Japanese Boxwood for hedges and foundation plantings.
Plant Details
-
Mature Size: Typically maintained at 6-8 feet tall and wide; the mature height of variegated pittosporum can reach 8 to 12 feet, making it suitable for larger landscape applications
-
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast initially, then slows with age and regular shaping
-
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-11, hardy to approximately 10-20°F in protected conditions
-
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hotter areas
-
Soil Needs: Variegated pittosporum is tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including sandy, loamy, or clayey soils, as long as the soil is well-drained
-
Heavy Clay Tip: For optimal growth, Variegated Pittosporum prefers well-draining soil and should be elevated slightly when planted in heavy clay to prevent root rot
-
Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring, with creamy white flowers and orange blossom fragrance
-
Deer Resistance: Moderate to high
-
Salt Tolerance: Excellent salt tolerance for coastal landscapes
-
Best Uses: Hedge, privacy screen, foundation plantings, mixed borders, accent shrub, container, and larger landscape areas, especially when combined with other evergreen privacy trees and shrubs
-
Dwarf Options: Dwarf cultivars of variegated pittosporum are ideal for foundation plantings and can also be used in containers, providing versatility in landscape design
-
Small-Space Cultivars: Dwarf cultivars of Pittosporum, such as ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’, can reach heights of only 2 to 3 feet at maturity, making them ideal for smaller garden spaces and foundation plantings or pairing with compact flowering shrubs like Autumn Sage and other small-scale plants
Who It’s For
Ideal for:
-
California homeowners seeking a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with variegated foliage
-
Coastal property owners needing excellent salt tolerance and dependable curb appeal
-
Gardeners who want fragrant flowers, dense foliage, and year-round color, and may also be considering flowering trees that add seasonal blooms
-
Landscapers designing hedges, screens, foundation plantings, or larger landscape applications, including drought-tolerant companions like Black Sage for xeriscape and wildlife gardens
-
Homeowners with small spaces who prefer dwarf cultivars like Mojo or Wheeler’s Dwarf for containers and compact beds
Variegated pittosporum is well-suited for use as hedges and screens due to its rapid growth rate and dense foliage. If you want an attractive, sustainable landscape plant that can grow in sun, partial shade, sandy soil, loamy soil, or well drained clay, this pittosporum fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maintenance does variegated pittosporum require?
Very little once established. It has a naturally dense, rounded shape and can be maintained with light pruning or shearing. For best bloom performance, prune immediately after the spring flowers fade so you do not remove next year’s flowers.
Will it survive California’s dry summers?
Yes. Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water. For the healthiest growth, water regularly during the first growing season and provide occasional deep watering during long dry periods.
Ready to Enhance Your Garden?
Choose Variegated Pittosporum for hedges, foundation plantings, coastal yards, containers, and year-round curb appeal, and consider complementing it with Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia and other ornamental trees. Yardwork offers expert consultation, California delivery, plant expertise, and a satisfaction guarantee to help your new pittosporum get off to a strong start, along with an extensive online plant nursery of trees, shrubs, and garden supplies.
Transform Your Landscape with Year-Round Evergreen Beauty
Variegated Pittosporum gives your landscape attractive, low-maintenance structure with glossy cream-edged foliage, dense growth, and fragrant spring flowers.
Also known as variegated Japanese pittosporum or Japanese Mock Orange, this broadleaved evergreen shrub brings year-round color contrast without depending on blooms. Its compact natural form works beautifully in hedges, foundation plantings, accent areas, and coastal landscapes where a tough, easy care plant needs to look polished in every season.
Why You’ll Love It
-
Striking Variegated Foliage – Leathery, semi-glossy, obovate leaves show sage-green to light green centers with creamy-white borders, creating variegated foliage that stays attractive all year.
-
Fragrant Spring Blooms – In mid-spring, the plant produces clusters of five-petaled white flowers with a strong orange blossom fragrance.
-
Drought Tolerant – Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water.
-
Salt Tolerant – Variegated Pittosporum is exceptionally salt-tolerant, making it suitable for coastal regions, and is also resistant to deer and drought once established.
-
Versatile Landscape Use – This pittosporum works as a hedge, screen, foundation planting, accent shrub, small specimen, or container plant depending on the cultivar and pruning style, similar to how Silver Sheen Pittosporum is used for privacy hedges and screens.
What Makes It Different
Most shrubs offer either evergreen structure or seasonal flowers, but few deliver both colorful foliage and fragrance with this level of adaptability. Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’ is a popular cultivar known for its attractive variegated foliage and adaptability to various growing conditions.
Variegated Pittosporum provides:
-
Unique Variegation Pattern – Creamy white leaf margins surround green centers for a bright, layered look that single-color shrubs cannot match.
-
Compact Growth Habit – Dense foliage and a naturally rounded shape make it easy to maintain, whether lightly pruned, shaped into a hedge, or trained by removing lower branches.
-
Superior Landscape Durability – Variegated Pittosporum thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11 and is known for its effective performance in a variety of landscape applications, especially where salt tolerance, drought tolerance, and easy care matter.
Dwarf selections add even more flexibility. The ‘Mojo’ cultivar of Pittosporum tobira is a dwarf evergreen shrub that features dense variegated foliage and is known for its cold-hardiness and salt tolerance, making it suitable for coastal planting, and it pairs well with other Cheesewood and Pittosporum varieties in mixed landscapes.
How To Grow Variegated Pittosporum
-
Step 1 - Site Selection and Planting
Choose a location with well drained soil and sun to shade exposure. This plant prefers sun to shade, with variegated cultivars benefiting from afternoon shade to maintain their color. Avoid planting where water accumulates, because poor drainage can lead to root rot diseases. -
Step 2 - Establishment Period
Water regularly during the first growing season to help the young plant develop a strong root system. Once established, variegated pittosporum is drought tolerant, but it is healthiest when provided with regular watering, especially during establishment. -
Step 3 - Long-term Enjoyment
As the plant becomes mature, it needs less frequent water, light pruning, and occasional monitoring for common problems like aphids or cottony cushion scale. Prune immediately after flowering to avoid removing next year’s flowers, as pruning too late in the season can affect blooming.
Short-term care builds long-term performance: strong roots, dense branches, reliable color, and a clean landscape shape with less frequent pruning than many formal shrubs, much like the tidy structure of Globe Japanese Boxwood for hedges and foundation plantings.
Plant Details
-
Mature Size: Typically maintained at 6-8 feet tall and wide; the mature height of variegated pittosporum can reach 8 to 12 feet, making it suitable for larger landscape applications
-
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast initially, then slows with age and regular shaping
-
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-11, hardy to approximately 10-20°F in protected conditions
-
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in hotter areas
-
Soil Needs: Variegated pittosporum is tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including sandy, loamy, or clayey soils, as long as the soil is well-drained
-
Heavy Clay Tip: For optimal growth, Variegated Pittosporum prefers well-draining soil and should be elevated slightly when planted in heavy clay to prevent root rot
-
Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring, with creamy white flowers and orange blossom fragrance
-
Deer Resistance: Moderate to high
-
Salt Tolerance: Excellent salt tolerance for coastal landscapes
-
Best Uses: Hedge, privacy screen, foundation plantings, mixed borders, accent shrub, container, and larger landscape areas, especially when combined with other evergreen privacy trees and shrubs
-
Dwarf Options: Dwarf cultivars of variegated pittosporum are ideal for foundation plantings and can also be used in containers, providing versatility in landscape design
-
Small-Space Cultivars: Dwarf cultivars of Pittosporum, such as ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf’, can reach heights of only 2 to 3 feet at maturity, making them ideal for smaller garden spaces and foundation plantings or pairing with compact flowering shrubs like Autumn Sage and other small-scale plants
Who It’s For
Ideal for:
-
California homeowners seeking a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with variegated foliage
-
Coastal property owners needing excellent salt tolerance and dependable curb appeal
-
Gardeners who want fragrant flowers, dense foliage, and year-round color, and may also be considering flowering trees that add seasonal blooms
-
Landscapers designing hedges, screens, foundation plantings, or larger landscape applications, including drought-tolerant companions like Black Sage for xeriscape and wildlife gardens
-
Homeowners with small spaces who prefer dwarf cultivars like Mojo or Wheeler’s Dwarf for containers and compact beds
Variegated pittosporum is well-suited for use as hedges and screens due to its rapid growth rate and dense foliage. If you want an attractive, sustainable landscape plant that can grow in sun, partial shade, sandy soil, loamy soil, or well drained clay, this pittosporum fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maintenance does variegated pittosporum require?
Very little once established. It has a naturally dense, rounded shape and can be maintained with light pruning or shearing. For best bloom performance, prune immediately after the spring flowers fade so you do not remove next year’s flowers.
Will it survive California’s dry summers?
Yes. Once established, Variegated Pittosporum requires significantly reduced watering frequency during dry spells and can thrive with limited water. For the healthiest growth, water regularly during the first growing season and provide occasional deep watering during long dry periods.
Ready to Enhance Your Garden?
Choose Variegated Pittosporum for hedges, foundation plantings, coastal yards, containers, and year-round curb appeal, and consider complementing it with Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia and other ornamental trees. Yardwork offers expert consultation, California delivery, plant expertise, and a satisfaction guarantee to help your new pittosporum get off to a strong start, along with an extensive online plant nursery of trees, shrubs, and garden supplies.
Plants vary greatly by type and no guarantees are made on sizing.
However here is a rough idea of sizes based on containers that are direct from our growing grounds.
15 Gallon Shrub 3-4 Ft. Tall
15 Gallon Tree 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Shrub 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Tree 6-7 Ft. Tall
36" Box Tree 8-10 Ft. Tall
48" Box Tree 10-12 Ft. Tall
Please note: Citrus and California Native plants such as Manzanita are smaller than traditional sizing.
Please contact us to confirm sizing of items before purchasing if this is a concern.
Plants vary greatly by type and no guarantees are made on sizing.
However here is a rough idea of sizes based on containers that are direct from our growing grounds.
15 Gallon Shrub 3-4 Ft. Tall
15 Gallon Tree 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Shrub 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Tree 6-7 Ft. Tall
36" Box Tree 8-10 Ft. Tall
48" Box Tree 10-12 Ft. Tall
Please note: Citrus and California Native plants such as Manzanita are smaller than traditional sizing.
Please contact us to confirm sizing of items before purchasing if this is a concern.
Delivery does not include unloading of trees and plants larger than a 24" box.
Trees and plants in smaller containers will be dropped curbside.
Delivery beyond a curbside drop will be charged extra.
Trees and plants that are sold in container sizes larger than a 24" box size will require equipment and an operator onsite to help unload from the truck.
Please reach out to our team PRIOR to placing your order to coordinate.
Our team can provide unloading assistance with equipment for an extra fee.
Delivery does not include unloading of trees and plants larger than a 24" box.
Trees and plants in smaller containers will be dropped curbside.
Delivery beyond a curbside drop will be charged extra.
Trees and plants that are sold in container sizes larger than a 24" box size will require equipment and an operator onsite to help unload from the truck.
Please reach out to our team PRIOR to placing your order to coordinate.
Our team can provide unloading assistance with equipment for an extra fee.
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Thousands of Healthy Plants Delivered
Yardwork was so great to work with. First they had the Swan Hill olive trees that we had been searching for, we had contacted several other nurseries without any luck previously. Then they answered all of our questions in a timely matter prior to ordering and finally delivered within a few days of placing it. Their staff is incredibly knowledgeable; they delivered and planted our trees with expertise to ensure that they would do well in our yard. We would definitely work with them again for future projects.
A Modern Experience
At Yardwork, we carefully curate thousands of plants, in all container sizes, to provide you with the best selection of the highest quality trees and plants at the best price, with the convenience of an online platform.
Uncompromised Quality
We choose only the finest specimens and hand select our plants just before delivery to ensure you receive the freshest and most robust specimens available for your landscape.
Industry Leading Warranties
Our 30, 90, and 365 extended warranties provide some of the best coverage to ensure our trees and plants thrive in your landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
We're committed to changing everything about trees and plants - how they’re grown, how you shop for them, and how much they cost. We handle orders ourselves. No middlemen to get between us (or our prices) and you.
We're committed to changing everything about trees and plants - how they’re grown, how you shop for them, and how much they cost. We handle orders ourselves. No middlemen to get between us (or our prices) and you.
Delivery does not include unloading of trees and plants LARGER than a 24" box.
Trees and plants in smaller containers will be dropped curbside (usually on the driveway or near the front doorstep).
Delivery beyond a curbside drop will be charged extra.
Trees and plants that are sold in container sizes LARGER than a 24" box size will require equipment and/or enough manpower onsite to help unload from the truck.
Please reach out to our team PRIOR to placing your order to help coordinate.
Our team can provide unloading assistance with equipment for an extra fee as well.
Delivery does not include unloading of trees and plants LARGER than a 24" box.
Trees and plants in smaller containers will be dropped curbside (usually on the driveway or near the front doorstep).
Delivery beyond a curbside drop will be charged extra.
Trees and plants that are sold in container sizes LARGER than a 24" box size will require equipment and/or enough manpower onsite to help unload from the truck.
Please reach out to our team PRIOR to placing your order to help coordinate.
Our team can provide unloading assistance with equipment for an extra fee as well.
We ship locally within California within 7-10 days of your order being placed.
We ship nationally using carrier partners, based on order size. Our common order minimums for out of state shipping is $5,000.
Text or call 323-576-4159 for specific shipping details for your location.
We ship locally within California within 7-10 days of your order being placed.
We ship nationally using carrier partners, based on order size. Our common order minimums for out of state shipping is $5,000.
Text or call 323-576-4159 for specific shipping details for your location.
We are currently online only and don't have physical locations where you can view plants in person.
That's why we have photos direct from the growing grounds of the plants we will ship and we display pricing right in our store.
We do make sure to pick the very best trees and plants prior to shipping and make sure that they have gone through our multi-point inspection for health and structure.
We will always reach out prior to delivery if we find a quality issue or need to provide a substitute.
We are currently online only and don't have physical locations where you can view plants in person.
That's why we have photos direct from the growing grounds of the plants we will ship and we display pricing right in our store.
We do make sure to pick the very best trees and plants prior to shipping and make sure that they have gone through our multi-point inspection for health and structure.
We will always reach out prior to delivery if we find a quality issue or need to provide a substitute.
Plants vary greatly by type. Here is a rough idea of sizes based on containers that are direct from our growing grounds.
15 Gallon Shrub 3-4 Ft. Tall
15 Gallon Tree 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Shrub 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Tree 6-7 Ft. Tall
36" Box Shrub/Tree 7-9 Ft. Tall
48" Box Shrub/Tree 8-10 Ft. Tall
**Please note that we do not make guarantees of sizes. If you have questions or concerns, please call or text to request accurate sizing for the particular plant you're considering, prior to ordering.
Plants vary greatly by type. Here is a rough idea of sizes based on containers that are direct from our growing grounds.
15 Gallon Shrub 3-4 Ft. Tall
15 Gallon Tree 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Shrub 5-6 Ft. Tall
24" Box Tree 6-7 Ft. Tall
36" Box Shrub/Tree 7-9 Ft. Tall
48" Box Shrub/Tree 8-10 Ft. Tall
**Please note that we do not make guarantees of sizes. If you have questions or concerns, please call or text to request accurate sizing for the particular plant you're considering, prior to ordering.
We offer a limited 30 day warranty for plants that are delivered and planted by someone else and a 90 day warranty for plants that we plant.
The limited warranty covers plants that die as a result of disease or fungus which was derived from our growing grounds or from root balls that were root bound.
The warranty does not cover damage due to watering, fertilizer, soils, or any other conditions beyond our control. Additionally, the warranty does not cover plants that are shipped out of the state of California or shipped into California from other states. Custom plant orders are also not covered under warranty. Plants must be planted within 24 hours after delivery to qualify.
We can assist you in recommending the right soils and fertilizers to help your plant thrive after you plant it.
Text or call 323-576-4159 for further warranty information.
We offer a limited 30 day warranty for plants that are delivered and planted by someone else and a 90 day warranty for plants that we plant.
The limited warranty covers plants that die as a result of disease or fungus which was derived from our growing grounds or from root balls that were root bound.
The warranty does not cover damage due to watering, fertilizer, soils, or any other conditions beyond our control. Additionally, the warranty does not cover plants that are shipped out of the state of California or shipped into California from other states. Custom plant orders are also not covered under warranty. Plants must be planted within 24 hours after delivery to qualify.
We can assist you in recommending the right soils and fertilizers to help your plant thrive after you plant it.
Text or call 323-576-4159 for further warranty information.
Our local delivery team covers most cities in California.
There are some exceptions, so please get in touch to confirm prior to ordering.
Additionally, we ship using semi trucks and trailers throughout the entire United States and even abroad for large orders over $5,000. Each shipment is custom, so please reach out to our team to coordinate.
Our local delivery team covers most cities in California.
There are some exceptions, so please get in touch to confirm prior to ordering.
Additionally, we ship using semi trucks and trailers throughout the entire United States and even abroad for large orders over $5,000. Each shipment is custom, so please reach out to our team to coordinate.