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Pittosporum tobira 'Variegata' (Variegated Mock Orange) - A small to medium sized shrub that typically grows to 5 feet tall and as wide (old specimens known to reach 10 feet) with 2 to 5 " long spoon-shaped gray-green leaves with irregular white margins. The spring-blooming creamy-white flowers have a similar fragrance as orange blossoms and green berries that mature to brown with orange seeds follow the bloom.
Plant in full sun to shade and irrigate occasionally to regularly - as with most Pittosporum this plant is relatively drought tolerant in coastal California gardens once established but looks best with an occasional deep watering. Hardy to at least 15 F. A very adaptable shrub that will tolerate seaside conditions, inland heat, frost and alkaline soils. Size and shape can be maintained easily by selective trimming but avoid shearing. Useful as a foundation plant or to lightens up dim areas in the garden. Foliage is useful in flower arrangements.
We have grown this variegated cultivar since 1980 and find it is slower and shorter growing than Pittosporum tobira. It was awarded the prestigious Royal Horticulture Award of Garden Merit in 1993. For more information about the species see our listing of Pittosporum tobira.
This information about Pittosporum tobira 'Variegata' displayed on this web page is based on research we have conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations we have made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how our crops have performed in containers in the nursery field. Where appropriate, we will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.
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