Dwarf Pōhutukawa
Dwarf Pōhutukawa (AKA Pacific Rata or Tahitian Pohutukawa) is a fantastic flowering shrub or small tree ideal for use as a feature plant, hedge or screen.
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If you’re looking for a fast growing hedging plant then Pittosporum (Pittosporum spp.
) is one to consider. Available in many varieties that offer various sizes of leaves and colours ranging from deep green to silvery-green and almost pure beige/off-white. Pittosporum is soft, bushy, dense and sophisticated. It ticks all the hedge boxes!
How to grow pittosporum in a garden
- Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food. In areas with heavy or clay soil, to help improve soil structure and drainage, add gypsum and mix in well.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Feed during autumn and spring with Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food to promote strong root development and healthy foliage. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
How to grow pittosporum in a pot
- Pick a variety that can be grown in a pot. Choose a pot at least 300mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.
- Fill chosen pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Feed during autumn and spring with Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food to promote strong root development and healthy foliage. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
Growing tips
- Make sure the soil is well-draining.
- Water regularly during establishment and warmer months.
- Prune regularly to maintain the desired form.
- Mulch well to keep soil moist.
- We suggest planting at 0.8 to 1.0m spacing for a screen/hedge.
- Can grow up to 1m a year.
Daphne
Daphne is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and beautifully fragrant flowers in shades of white and pink. Grow in the garden or in pots.
Smoke Bush
Smoke Bush is an ideal shrub to add a splash of foliage colour to gardens. It provides year-round seasonal interest and looks fabulous in both gardens and pots.
Picea
Piceas, or Spruces, are evergreen coniferous trees from the Pinaceae family with a lovely conical shape, needle-like leaves and ornate pendulous cones.
Recommended products
Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Releases nutrients slowly, improves the structure and moisture retention of the soil and encourages earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms.
Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food
Easy-to-use granular plant food specially formulated with both fast acting and gradual feeding for up to 3 months, in the garden or pots.
Yates Thrive Natural Fish & Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate
A complete plant food enriched with natural fish, seaweed, humates, molasses and more - boosted with NPK to improve plant and soil vitality.
Yates Premium Potting Mix
A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.
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