- Botanical name: Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'
- Family: Pittosporaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Evergreen
Purple
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
Pittosporums are typically grown for their dramatic foliage. Hardy in mild areas and seaside gardens, they may struggle in colder regions.
Pittosporum tenuifolium is one of the hardiest pittosporums, bearing neat, evergreen foliage on gorgeous black stems. Some varieties bear inconspicuous, dark purple honey-scented flowers.
Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’ is a compact shrub with a rounded shape, and bears small, dark purple leaves. It’s ideal for growing against a south-facing wall or as a display in its own right in a gravel garden or container. Alternatively, pair with ornamental grasses or other foliage plants such as choisya.
Grow Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’ in a sunny, sheltered site in well-drained soil. Protect from frost and winds.
How to grow Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb'
-
Plant size
100cm height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do Prune in September |
O
Do Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' and wildlife
Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' poisonous?
Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb'
