Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Ball' (Pittosporum 'Silver Ball')

Botanical name

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Ball'

Other names

Pittosporum 'Silver Ball', Kohuhu 'Silver Ball', Tawhiwi 'Silver Ball'

Genus

Pittosporum Pittosporum

Variety or Cultivar

'Silver Ball' _ 'Silver Ball' is a compact, rounded, evergreen shrub with dark stems bearing oval, glossy, grey-green leaves, creamy-white at the margins and, in late spring and early summer, small, fragrant, purple-brown flowers followed by dark grey seed capsules.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

Flowers are scented

Habit

Compact, Bushy, Rounded

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Colour

Flower

Flushed brown, Purple in Spring; Flushed brown, Purple in Summer

Foliage

Cream, Variegated, Grey-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew , Leaf spot

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Tolerates heavy pruning and trimming. If grown as a hedge, trim in spring and midsummer.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Ball' (Pittosporum 'Silver Ball') will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.8m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Protect in colder areas from cold, drying winds. Can be planted in sun or partial shade, although leaf colour is best in sun.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

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.

Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Ball' (Pittosporum 'Silver Ball')

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 tenuifolium 'Silver Ball' (Pittosporum 'Silver Ball')

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/