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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.
Information displayed on this page about Pittosporum tobira 'Variegata' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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