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Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb')
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'
Other names
Tawhiwhi 'Tom Thumb', Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb', Kohuhu 'Tom Thumb'
Genus
Pittosporum Pittosporum
Variety or Cultivar
'Tom Thumb' _ 'Tom Thumb' is a compact, roound evergreen shrub with wavy light-green leaves when young in spring, turning dark-purple.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' is: Evergreen
Fragrance
The flower is scented.
Habit
Bushy, Cushion or Mound Forming, Rounded
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Dark-purple, Insignificant or absent in Spring; Insignificant or absent, Dark-purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Purple in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Cushion scale , Pittosporum sucker Aphids , Cushion scale , Pittosporum sucker
Powdery mildew , Leaf spot Powdery mildew , Leaf spot
General care
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb') will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
City, Hedging/Screens, Beds and borders, Containers, Wallside and trellises, Drought Tolerant
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Protect in colder parts from cold, drying winds.
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)
Companion plants
The soft white-green leaves are a good companion to plants with purple flowers
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb'
Other names
Tawhiwhi 'Tom Thumb', Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb', Kohuhu 'Tom Thumb'
Genus
Pittosporum Pittosporum
Variety or Cultivar
'Tom Thumb' _ 'Tom Thumb' is a compact, roound evergreen shrub with wavy light-green leaves when young in spring, turning dark-purple.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
The flower is scented.
Habit
Bushy, Cushion or Mound Forming, Rounded
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Dark-purple, Insignificant or absent in Spring; Insignificant or absent, Dark-purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Purple in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Cushion scale , Pittosporum sucker
Specific diseases
General care
Propagation methods
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb') will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
City, Hedging/Screens, Beds and borders, Containers, Wallside and trellises, Drought Tolerant
Cultivation
Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Protect in colder parts from cold, drying winds.
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)
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb')
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 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb')
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: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
The soft white-green leaves are a good companion to plants with purple flowers
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Can this Tom Thumb be heavily pruned - with recovery following year. Or does it need some leaves to survive??
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' is a particular favorite plant
There are 3 active discussions about Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' (Pittosporum 'Tom Thumb')
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