Perfect Pillar Pittosporum

Perfect Pillar Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Perfect Pillar') is a fast-growing evergreen hedging shrub with shiny light green leaves and a dense, naturally rounded habit. It matures at about 3m high and wide, clips tight for a neat screen, or can be left to relax into a soft shrub. It is a dependable choice for privacy along a boundary.

Why you'll love it

• Fast and dense. Growth is quick and bushy, so a new hedge closes up in a short time.
• Fresh, shiny foliage. The light green leaves have a glossy finish that brightens a boundary.
• Clip or leave it. Shear it into a tight hedge, shape it as topiary, or leave it free-form as a rounded shrub.
• Honey-scented flowers. Left unclipped, it carries small dark brown flowers with a honey scent.
• Forgiving of mistakes. A hedge that has outgrown its space can be cut back hard and will reshoot.

Where it works best

Privacy hedges and boundaries. Plant 80cm apart in a single row. The plants merge into a solid line, and regular clipping keeps the screen dense from the ground up.

Topiary and shaped forms. The compact leaves and bushy habit suit balls and blocks, in the ground or in large pots.

Informal shrub borders. Unclipped, it makes a rounded backdrop for lower plants and gives you the scented flowers.

Growing Perfect Pillar Pittosporum in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun or part shade. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and survives a light frost. In districts with hard frosts a hardier hedge is a safer choice.

Soil. Well drained soil rich in humus gives the best results. Add compost to poor ground before planting.

Water and feed. Water frequently until the plant is established, and check moisture during dry spells. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring and again in autumn.

Pruning. Clip to hold the shape you want and keep growth tight. Light, regular trims work better than occasional heavy cuts, but if a hedge gets away from you it will recover from a hard prune.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Perfect Pillar Pittosporum as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 300mm pots, sold singly. Tubes are the economical way to plant a long hedge, and the 300mm plants give a much taller line from day one. Plant out soon after delivery and water in well.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Pittosporum care guide
• Browse the pittosporum range
• Best hedging plants
• Plants for topiary and shaping

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Plant 80cm apart in a single row. That spacing lets the plants join into a dense line without crowding the bases.

Do I have to keep it clipped?

No. Clipped, it makes a tight hedge, and unclipped it grows into a rounded shrub with scented flowers. Choose the look you want and trim to suit.

Will it cope with frost?

It survives a light frost. Where hard frosts are regular, a hardier hedge plant is the safer choice.