Pittosporum bicolor (Tasmanian whitewood)

Botanical name

Pittosporum bicolor

Other names

Tasmanian whitewood, Victorian cheesewood, Victorian whitewood , Cheesewood, Banyalla , Fragrant pittosporum

Genus

Pittosporum Pittosporum

Species

P. bicolor - P. bicolor is a tender, erect to bushy, large evergreen shrub or small tree bearing downy young stems and oblong, leathery, dark green leaves with rolled margins and white- to brown-felted undersides. Nodding, bell-shaped, single or clustered, fragrant, maroon-flushed yellow flowers in spring are followed by dark red capsules.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

The flower is scented.

Habit

Bushy, Erect

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Colour

Flower

Flushed red, Yellow in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Cushion scale , Glasshouse red spider mite , Pittosporum sucker

Specific diseases

Leaf spot , Powdery mildew

General care

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Pittosporum bicolor (Tasmanian whitewood) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 4m after 20-50 Years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Conservatory, Drought Tolerant, Greenhouse, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Protect from cold, drying winds in frost-prone areas. Grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water moderately and feed monthly; sparingly in winter.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pittosporum bicolor (Tasmanian whitewood)

Common pest name

pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale

Scientific pest name

Ceroplastes rubens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Pittosporum bicolor (Tasmanian whitewood)

Common pest name

; mango aphid

Scientific pest name

Aphis odinae

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Aphid pest unlikely to survive in the UK and considered to be little or no pytosanitary risk.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/