Pittosporum Tenuifolium Silver Ball

Pittosporum Tenuifolium Silver Ball is a compact evergreen shrub with silvery grey foliage, tiny fragrant purple flowers and a dwarf low-growing habit. It creates excellent low hedging (for example as an alternative to Box Hedging). Use it as a windbreak in coastal areas as it is salt & sea spray tolerant. 

Pittosporum Tenuifolium is native to New Zealand hence its more common name New Zealand Pittosporum. Silver Ball is a small cultivar of the native Pittosporum. It has small leathery green-grey leaves with wavy cream margins on strong dark stems. In May and June it produces tiny brown-purple flowers that smell sweetly of honey and often have people wondering where the scent is coming from. These flowers mature into rounded fruits that split open on the shrub in late summer. Foliage remains on the plant year-round with new fresh foliage emerging in early spring.

New Zealand Pittosporum Silver Ball grows naturally in a rounded globe-shape. Due to its small leaves, it can be use for topiary-shaping or as alternative to box if you can looking for a parterre effect. 

Height And Spread Of Pittosporum Tenuifolium Silver Ball
Slower growing and more compact than its cousin Pittosporum Tenuifolium Golden Ball, Silver Ball will reach a maximum height and spread of 50 cms to a metre over 10-20 years.

How Hardy Is Pittosporum Tenuifolium Silver Ball
Can be a little frost tender in more northerly harsh winds. Pittosporum should be planted in a sheltered aspect and thrives in full sun.

How To Use Pittosporum Tenuifolium Silver Ball
This is a good choice for low hedging and screens in warmer areas of the UK. In northern areas it can be grown in sheltered spots such as a wallside border or in a wind-free courtyard where it brings year-round colour and beautiful fragrance especially when paired with Pittosporum Tenuifolium Golden Ball.

Perfect for plant containers & pots on decks, patios, and balconies if well fed and watered Silver Ball enhances borders, seating areas, and low maintenance spaces including wildlife friendly gardens.

It has a naturally globular shape and is tolerant of clipping so it makes a good alternative to box.

How To Care For Pittosporum Tenuifolium Silver Ball
Pittosporum are easy to grow. They like a sunny to partially shady spot but will produce more flowers and brighter foliage in the sun. Choose a moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered spot that’s free from frost pockets and harsh winds.

There is no need to prune but it takes well to clipping after the flowers are spent in late spring and again in late summer if necessary.

A thick layer of mulch around the roots in spring helps trap moisture and boosts nutrients for the growing season.