Common name:Blackstem Pittosporum, Tawhiwhi
Botanical name:Pittosporum tenuifolium
This medium sized evergreen shrub has medium green leaves with black stems. Its pleasing texture and narrow, upright growth make this a fine hedge or screen. It is easy to grow in soils with good drainage. Many new cultivars are being introduced with smaller, variegated and/or multi-colored foliage.
Common name:Indian Hawthorne or Rhaph
Botanical name:Rhaphiolepis indica
This small shrub will grow 2' tall and 4' wide. It has small, dark green leaves that get a red tint in the winter and deep pink flowers that bloom fall through spring.
Designer: | Backyard Hedge |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.
Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.