Growing the Pitosporus in the garden

A hedge is an ideal means of establishing two distinct sectors. Either to separate them physically and that they cannot be accessed from one to the other or visual separation (such as between the exterior and interior of a private garden).

In short, if your idea is to have a hedge, a good choice is the Pitosporo . You want to know why?

DO YOU NEED A HEDGE? WE PRESENT THE PITOSPORO

Its scientific name is  Pittosporum tobira ,  although it is usually known as a pitosporo or Chinese orange blossom. It belongs to the Pittosporaceae family .

It is a shrub that can reach 7 meters if we do not control its growth through pruning. That is why as it admits very well to shape, prune and trim it, it is widely used as a hedge or to cover a wall or wall.

One of its great advantages, apart from the latter, is that it resists contaminated environments very well, such as cities.

If you already have a hole for the whistle in some part of your garden, let’s see how to grow it.

CLIMATIC NEEDS OF THE PYTOSPORE

Pittosporum tobira has the advantage that it does not need a specific type of climate to develop. It can be done in arid or semi-arid climates, in cold climates such as continental ones, or in the Mediterranean area .

There will be no problems or problems in this regard. As for the weather, the Pitosporo is an all-rounder.

We can arrange it both in the sun and in the shade, although it must be a little protected from low temperatures. One piece of advice is that if the Azahar de la China specimen is young, in winter, when you know that they are going to see night frosts , cover it with plastic or make a straw covering.

Resists strong wind and pollution, as we have said before.

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

The resistance it has in terms of adaptation to different types of climate can also be extrapolated in relation to the characteristics of the soil.

We say this because it tolerates well the saline soils typical of coastal climates . It also adapts to a great variety of soils, given its rusticity.

IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZER NEEDS

We bring good news for those who live in low-income areas. The pytosporus is a plant considered xerophytic (you can consult it in the xerophytic gardening guide for shrubs ).

On the other hand, if you live in a hot summer climate, such as the Mediterranean, or in an arid area, you should provide moderate watering in times when the days are longer. That is, from April to September.  

As for the subscriber, to get the most out of the Pitosporo it is convenient that in the season when it has greater requirements, a few kilos of manure or homemade compost are provided , the Azahar de la China will thank you.

Ah! said time of application is in spring. 

MULTIPLICATION OF PITTOSPORUM TOBIRA

To carry out this operation we have several procedures. On the one hand, we can multiply the Pitosporo through seeds. They have a good germination capacity  and fast growth .

On the other, new plants can also be obtained from cuttings or cuttings, from the selection of semi-woody branches that we will have in a humid culture with a good temperature.

HOW TO SHAPE THE HEDGE

As we have said, it is a shrub, and if we let it grow, since it is quite resistant and does not need special means, it can reach great heights in a short time. It depends if we want it with arboreal size or for hedging it will need more or less pruning.

Quiet, supports great pruning and develops quickly . You can give it the shape you want (something like what Eduardo Scissorhands did). For example the image that we put below.

You can give it square, round shapes, etc. It can also be left as a shrub and pruned so that its branches and leaves form a cube.

In short, the pitosporo is a resistant shrub , it adapts very well to any climate and soil and supports all the forms of pruning that you want to give it, becoming an excellent topiary shrub.

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