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Pittosporum, Genus, bicolor, Species,

Genus & species

Banyalla

Pittosporaceae South-eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

An evergreen shrub to small tree reaching 12-25 feet (3.7-7.6 m) tall and 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m) wide, occasionally taller in forest. Leaves narrow-elliptic, 1.5-3.5 inches (4-9 cm) long and 0.3-0.6 inch (8-15 mm) wide, dark green and glossy above, covered with pale rust-colored hairs beneath, giving a two-toned appearance. Flowers bell-shaped, 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) long, yellow to dull orange-red, nodding on slender stalks, fragrant, borne singly or in small clusters. Flowering occurs spring through early summer. Fruit a rounded woody capsule 0.3-0.5 inch (8-12 mm) wide, ripening orange and splitting to expose sticky red seeds. Habit upright and densely branched, often suckering at the base. Tolerates frost and wind once established. Lower foliage thins in deep shade.

Native Range

Native to south-eastern Australia in Victoria, Tasmania, and southern New South Wales. Grows in cool-temperate rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, and shaded gullies, usually on moist soils from sea level to 3,500 feet (1,100 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted as a screen, informal hedge, or understorey shrub in cool, moist gardens at 6-10 foot (1.8-3 m) spacing. Suits shaded courtyards and woodland borders. Grows in large containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L) in a sheltered position.

How to Identify

Recognized by narrow leaves dark green above and densely rust-haired beneath, and nodding bell-shaped flowers 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) long in yellow to orange-red. The orange capsule splits to reveal sticky red seeds. The two-toned leaf undersides separate it from Pittosporum undulatum, which has green undersides and wavy leaf margins.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height12' - 25'

Width/Spread6' - 12'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Flowers: September–December

Spring Summer

Flowers September through December in its native range. Bell-shaped flowers hang on slender stalks and release a sweet scent, strongest in the evening. Individual flowers last about a week; the display extends 4-6 weeks. Capsules ripen the following autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow to orange-red

Foliage Description

Dark green above, rust-haired beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0 (Acidic to neutral)

3579

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water through the first two growing seasons to establish; mature plants tolerate short dry spells but prefer steady moisture. Grows in part shade to full shade and tolerates full sun in cool districts. Prefers moist, well-drained soils with organic matter and a slightly acid to neutral pH. Mulch to retain soil moisture. Root rot can develop in poorly drained ground. Suckers can be removed to limit spread.

Pruning

Prune after flowering to shape or reduce height, cutting to a node within the leafy canopy. Basal suckers can be removed to control spread. Tolerates clipping for informal screens and hedges. Cutting into bare old wood produces slow regrowth.

Pruning Schedule

Prune: December–January

summer