Pittosporum tenuifolium Midget - Kohuhu

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Midget' is a dwarf variety of pittosporum with small leaves that makes a good alternative to boxwood in mild climates. This small, round shrub is densely packed with tender green foliage, is decorative all year round, and is less susceptible to pests that decimate boxwood. This pittosporum tolerates pruning well and offers subtle flowers in late spring, releasing a honey scent in the evening. Its only weakness is its limited hardiness, which restricts its cultivation in the ground to mild regions. Plant it in a sunny rockery, or a dry garden, as it tolerates summer drought and limestone soils well. In colder regions, plant it in a large pot on the terrace or balcony, so that it can be stored away from frosts in cold winters.

Pittosporum tenuifolium, from the Pittosporaceae family, is native to the dry regions east of the New Zealand Alps. The 'Midget' cultivar has very short internodes, a naturally round and very compact habit. It grows quite rapidly, forming a dense and stocky bush of 50 to 80 cm (20 to 32in) in all directions, sometimes up to 1 m (3ft), in a few seasons. Its highly branched stems bear leaves that persist all year round, even in winter. They are alternate, entire, ovate, thick, very smooth, glossy, leathery leaves. They are small, not exceeding 3 to 3.5 cm (1in) in length and 1.5 cm (1in) in width. Flowering occurs in late spring or early summer. The small dark cup-shaped flowers, less than 1 cm (1in) in diameter, release a scent which is more noticable at night. Flowers are followed by the formation of a few round fruits, initially green and then almost black when ripe. A severe winter may destroy all or part of the vegetation, but the plant can regenerate from the stump or the base of the branches, after severely pruning the plant.

Hardy down to -7°C/-10°C, Pittosporum Midget requires a well-drained soil, and a warm, sunny location, sheltered from prevailing winds. In mild climates, it can be planted in a rockery or at the edge of a planting bed. In a dry garden, it can be paired with Cistus, lavender, oregano, or thyme. In colder regions, it can be placed in a container on a terrace to enjoy its delicate scent and rounded charm. This variety, like boxwood, can also form a neat little hedge and is suitable for topiary, but it has the advantage of being unaffected by boxwood pests. It can also be accompanied by red or fuchsia bush salvias, Prostanthera, Westringia, Grevillea, compact Escallonias, or combined with the silver foliage of Artemisia, Helichrysum, and santolines.