Pittosporum Tenuifolium Irene Paterson

Pittosporum Tenuifolium Irene Paterson is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub known for its exceptional year-round interest and refined variegated foliage. This elegant cultivar, native to New Zealand, stands out in any garden with its delicately marbled leaves and graceful form. Its modest size and ornamental features make it a great choice for low-maintenance borders, container planting or subtle evergreen structure in mixed beds. Awarded the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit, Pittosporum Irene Paterson is both a beautiful and reliable garden performer.

Pittosporum Tenuifolium Irene Paterson is distinguished by its small, rounded leaves with softly undulating edges. New foliage emerges a crisp, bright white before maturing to deep green, heavily speckled and mottled with cream. This marbling becomes even more pronounced in colder months, with many leaves developing a delicate pink blush in winter – a charming seasonal shift that adds visual interest.

Set against deep purplish-black stems, the foliage offers striking contrast throughout the year. While flowering is modest, small, chocolate-scented, deep purple flowers may appear in late spring to early summer, nestled quietly among the foliage. Though not showy, these blooms offer an added sensory dimension that enhances the plant’s appeal in closer planting schemes.

Height and Width of Pittosporum Irene Paterson
This cultivar is notably slow-growing, typically reaching around 1.2 to 1.5 metres in height, with a spread of up to 1 metre over time. Its neat, naturally rounded form makes it especially suitable for smaller gardens or as a feature shrub in more structured planting designs. It can be clipped lightly to maintain shape or left to grow more loosely in informal settings.

How Hardy is Pittosporum Irene Paterson?
Pittosporum Tenuifolium Irene Paterson is hardy in most parts of the UK, coping well with temperatures down to around -5°C, particularly in sheltered or coastal locations. It benefits from protection in colder inland gardens, where a mulch and a position out of cold drying winds will support its evergreen health.

Uses in Garden and Landscape
Thanks to its compact size and attractive foliage, Pittosporum Irene Paterson is ideal for year-round interest in mixed borders, low hedging, or decorative containers. It also works beautifully in courtyard gardens, coastal schemes, or alongside other evergreen shrubs. Its refined foliage pairs well with more architectural plants or as a foil to summer flowering perennials.

In comparison to other Pittosporum Tenuifolium varieties – such as the silvery-green Pittosporum Silver Queen or the more upright Pittosporum Variegatum – the Irene Paterson variety offers a finer texture and subtler, more mottled variegation, with a daintier overall silhouette.

Care Tips
Plant Pittosporum Irene Paterson in full sun to light shade, in fertile, well-drained soil. It is tolerant of chalk, clay and sandy soils, provided drainage is adequate. Water well during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, it is drought tolerant and low maintenance.

An annual light trim in late spring or early summer helps maintain shape and encourages dense growth. No routine pruning is required. For best foliage colour and pink winter highlights, grow in a bright, open spot with some shelter from harsh winter winds.

Add structure, colour and subtle scent to your garden year-round with Pittosporum Tenuifolium Irene Paterson – a refined evergreen shrub that offers understated elegance in any setting.