Mail Order Catalog Fall 2010 - Cistus Nursery

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Elizabeth’
A southern hemisphere pittosporum from New Zealand, this is a vigorous male cultivar. Small, nearly black
flowers provide deliciously fragrant inspiration in spring and the shiny, wavy edged, light blue-green leaves -variegated
with white edges, pink flushed especially in winter -- contrasting with purplish stems provide a nice
texture year round. A large shrub to small tree, possibly to 25 ft, but more probably remaining 10-12 ft x 6-8 ft, it
can be easily trimmed as a hedge. Enjoying regular summer water, they are best in well-drained soil in sun or part
shade, perhaps with extra protection of a south wall or overstory where temperatures dip into the teens regularly.
Frost hardy in USDA zone 8 with good protection.
$16.00
75
Pittosporaceae
Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Gold Sheen’
Beautiful evergreen shrub with bright foliage -- wavy, golden-green, white-edged leaves on black stems! -making
this New Zealand pittosporum a bright spot in the garden. To about 10 ft tall x 4 ft wide, but easily
trimmed to a smaller size. Prefers well-drained soil in sun to part shade with little summer water once established.
New to us but we expect cold hardiness in mid to upper USDA zone 8, 15 to 20F in any freeze of long duration.
We do know it makes a great container plant and enjoys life on the coast. Sadly, intolerant of humid summers
$16.00
Pittosporaceae
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Irene Patterson'
Selected in the wild on New Zealand's South Island, we brought this cultivar back from England in the mid
1990s. Strikingly white speckled variegation on leaves emerging nearly all cream and aging to spring-green and
held on typical black stems make this 4- 5 ft, dense shrub a standout in the garden. Small blackish flowers, with
the typical, dianthus-like, spicy fragrance, can actually be seen in spring with the naked eye against the light
colored leaves. A wonderful container plant or garden subject with regular water, dappled sun or full sun out of
the most glaring conditions, and leanish soil. Has taken low temperatures to near 0F in England. A champion
during a ferocious, 3 day, December freeze in 2009, so definitely frost hardy in upper USDA zone 7.
$16.00
Pittosporaceae
Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Moonlight’
Yet another good variegated form of one of our favorite groups, this rather dense shrub to 4-6 ft has rounded
very glossy leaves centered cream to nearly golden and edged green. Early spring flowers are of deep maroon,
smell like carnations, and are almost visible to the naked eye. This is one of the more frost hardy cultivars,
withstanding temperatures into the mid to upper teens F, upper USDA zone 8, with no visible damage. We don’t
yet know its lower limit.
$15.00
$16.00
Pittosporaceae
* Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Nutty Leprechaun'
This selection originated in Irelands though its parentage is, of course, from New Zealand. A good addition to the
purple-leaved pittosporums, growing only to about 3 ft tall with small, deep burgundy leaves, under 1/2”, a
striking contrast with the florescent chartreuse of the new spring growth. These are not only compact, they have
an almost creeping quality, separating P. t. ‘Nutty Leprechaun’ from other small, purple cultivars. Also one of
the tougher of the purple group, these have been frost hardy so far into the low teens F with no noticeable
damage. Full sun for best color. At home on the West Coast of North America, but not happy in the hot, humid
southeast. Frost hardy in lower USDA zone 8.
Pittosporaceae
Spring 2010 Mail Order Catalog (* = new to mail order list)