Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Variegata'
kohuhu
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: May and June
- Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection)
Prized for its striking, dark grey or black young stems clothed with distinctive, wavy, small grey-green leaves edged with cream, this large, bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree forms a natural oval. It makes a lovely backdrop to a sunny, well-drained border and responds well to light clipping into a more formal shape. An excellent plant for warm coastal areas, where it can successfully be grown as an attractive, variegated windbreak or hedge. - Garden care: Requires minimal pruning. To thin or reduce growth prune mid-spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Skylark'
Californian lilac
A haze of bright blue flowers in early summer
Fatsia japonica
Japanese aralia
A handsome, evergreen shrub
Phormium tenax
New Zealand flax
Large, architectural evergreen with strappy leaves
Cotinus 'Grace'
smoke bush
Fiery autumn colour
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