Botanical name:

Pittosporum dalli

Common name(s):

Kahurangi pittosporum

About:

A rare and intriguing plant, found only in specific regions of northwestern Nelson, it typically grows into a spreading shrub or tree reaching heights of about 3m. This distinctive plant features attractive dark grey bark that adds to its visual appeal. The leaves are primarily situated on the ends of the branches, appearing dull green and possessing a leathery texture with serrated edges. During the summer months, it produces clusters of white fragrant flowers, though not particularly consistently. This resilient plant thrives in sunny locations and is capable of withstanding relatively dry conditions, making it a hardy choice for many gardens. It is known for its slow growth rate.

Natural habitat:

Silver beech (Nothofagus menziesii) forest and subalpine scrub. Most (if not all) current occurrences are on or near cliff faces or walking tracks, locations less prone to the influence of browsing animals.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Shade, Drought, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s South Island, where it is confined to North West Nelson. All known populations occur within the Kahurangi National Park and have a distribution centred on the Cobb and Takaka Rivers.

Height: 3m

Flowering:

November - December (-January) with cream coloured flowers

Fruiting:

January - May

Uses:

Bird attractant, Bee food, Forests & Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Easy from fresh seed. Can be grown with some difficulty from semi hardwood cuttings. Grafts easily. A remarkably tough and resilient species which can tolerate extremes of drought and moisture. It makes an excellent shrub for a small garden but is rather slow growing, and can be fickle to flower. It does best, and is more likely to flower in cooler places and it should be planted in semi-shade.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed up and even out germination time