Tobira, Japanese cheesewood, Australian Laurel, Mock Orange, Japanese Pittosporum
Pittosporum tobira
Family: Pittosporaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Vase.
Pittosporum tobira is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 6
Where it is found
Rocky hillsides by the coast. Forests, limestone areas, slopes, sandy seashores and roadsides from sea level to 1800 metres.
E. Asia - southern China, southern Japan, southern Korea.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Very tolerant of pruning and maritime exposure, it can be grown as a wind resistant hedge. It can be used in shelterbelt plantings.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Shelterbelt: Wind resistant plants than can be grown to provide shelter in the garden etc.
Hedge: Hedge
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Hedge, Massing, Screen, Standard, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in most well-drained soils of reasonably good quality in full sun or light shade. Succeeds in dry soils. Very resistant to maritime exposure. Established plants are drought resistant. Hardy to about -10°c, succeeding outdoors on the coast of S. England and in London. Plants can be up to 10m tall in their native habitat but rarely exceed 2m in Britain. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value. The flowers are very fragrant, with a scent reminiscent of orange blossom and can pervade the air for a considerable distance. Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required. The species in this genus are very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus. When growing a species from seed it is important to ensure that the seed either comes from a known wild source, or from isolated specimens in cultivation. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse. The seed usually germinates freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, move the plants to a cold frame as soon as they are established and plant out late in the following spring. Consider giving them some protection from the cold during their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Poor to fair percentage. Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
This plant contains saponins. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans, and although they are fairly toxic to people they are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. They are also broken down if the food is thoroughly cooked for a long time. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.