Pittosporum is one of those tough and reliable shrubs I come back to time and again. These evergreen shrubs can be shaped into topiary, clipped into formal hedging, or left to do their own thing in a pot on a shady patio. They really are that versatile.
And, the best part? They can be grown alongside a whole range of suitable pittosporum companion plants, filling borders and pots with brilliant foliage and flowers. So, whether you’re working with the succulent-like Pittosporum tobira, the silver-tinged ‘Tom Thumb’, or any other variety for that matter, they all pair well with a good selection of shrubs and perennials.
So, if you already have one or two pittosporum shrubs in the yard, consider adding a few of the following companion plants that will grow happily alongside your evergreens. Here, one garden expert from Fast Growing Trees provides expert tips to help make the most of your plot this year.
5 of the best pittosporum companion plants
'Pittosporum are some of the best evergreen shrubs that thrive on neglect,' says Tamara Hogan, plant expert and lead horticulturist at Fast Growing Trees.
'They are versatile, tough and dependable,' Tamara adds. 'And they can take on a whole range of sunlight locations, including deep shade.
'There are many different pittosporum companion plants that can be used to great effect... just be sure to pick species that are well-suited to your climate and US hardiness zone.'
Here are five of the best perennials and shrubs to grow alongside your pittosporums.
1. Monkey grass
'If you are looking for evergreen ground cover plants to grow alongside pittosporums, you won't find much better than monkey grass, or Liriope muscari,' says Tamara.
'In terms of how to grow monkey grass, they are hardy from zone 6 to zone 10, with a tolerance for both sun and shade.
'They can be used as a great ground cover to underplant taller pittosporum varieties,' Tamara adds. 'And, with a grassy texture and purple flower spikes, they add a nice contrast to the round evergreen leaves of pittosporum shrubs.'
Live Liriope plants are available from Fast Growing Trees.
'Having ground cover options also helps to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture,' Tamara says, 'which means less garden maintenance for you... And who wouldn't want that?
'So, if you have a challenging section to plant in, adding more flora like monkey grass will actually improve soil health and structure.'
2. Loropetalum
'Loropetalum is an impressive evergreen shrub that works well when planted next to other topiary or pittosporums,' Tamara says.
'While it is notable for its compact habit and evergreen foliage, it is the spring flowers that really sing and help to illuminate dark and shady borders.
'Take this 'Cerise Charm' loropetalum, with live plants available from Fast Growing Trees, which has vibrant hot pink flowers to contrast against the greens of pittosporum.
'These spring-flowering shrubs grow no bigger than three feet tall and three feet wide,' Tamara adds, 'and do well from zone 7 to zone 10, provided they are in a part-sun-part-shade spot.'
They are fairly low-maintenance once established, although it will help to water during the first year as they settle into your plot.
3. Indian Hawthorn
'All of the reasons to love a pittosporum are the reasons to love Indian hawthorn,' Tamara continues.
Compact and ornamental, Indian hawthorn, or Rhaphiolepis indica, has a similar growing habit and pairs effortlessly with other dwarf evergreens in foundation and structural plantings.
'They are hardy down to zone 7,' Tamara adds, 'with a preference for full sun to part shade.
'In my experience, they are remarkably heat and drought-tolerant, and look amazing even during the height of summer when temperatures soar.'
For a striking white-flowering evergreen variety, try this 'Snow White' Indian hawthorn, with live plants available from Fast Growing Trees.
4. Carex
Landscaping with ornamental grasses can be helpful when you want to fill large borders surrounding evergreen shrubs.
One variety that I have used before is 'Evergold', with live grass plants available from Fast Growing Trees.
This low-growing option not only provides movement and texture, but it also has variegated blades for added color and contrast in borders.
In terms of how to grow ornamental grasses, most Carex options can be planted from zone 5 to zone 10, with a preference for part shade and slightly damp soil, although some varieties can handle very damp or very dry soils more than others.
For another variegated part-shade perennial, try growing this 'Patriot' hosta, with live plants available from Fast Growing Trees.
This unique white and green hosta will handle deep and part shade, much like carex varieties, which can look particularly impressive against a green pittosporum backdrop.
5. Clethra
Clethra, or summersweet, is another suitable shrub for shade that can work well as a pittosporum companion plant.
'Vanilla Spice' live clethra plants are available from Fast Growing Trees, which is a good option if you are seeking white flowers to add pops of color to your borders.
These native plants exhibit remarkable hardiness, and most can be grown down to zone 3, making this an ideal option for cooler, northern climates.
Clethra are pretty versatile shrubs, and can be planted in most lighting situations, so long as soil moisture is maintained.
They are also deer-resistant plants, so if you often struggle to ward off hungry and wandering pests, this tough species might be a good idea.
FAQs
What is a good native ground cover to plant alongside pittosporum?
Learning how to grow creeping juniper is a good idea in darker yards, and there are many attractive varieties to try.
For example, this 'Blue Pacific' juniper, live plants are available from Fast Growing Trees, is a good option for part shade, particularly if you like the look of silver-green foliage.
Most native junipers are hardy down to zone 4 and are pretty low-maintenance once established. Just be sure to give them a good deep watering once a week in the first few months.
Whatever companion plants you opt to grow alongside your prized pittosporum shrubs, be sure to complete a spot of mulching.
I would suggest a good two or three-inch-thick layer of mulch, which will help to suppress weeds, retain moisture and improve soil structure, and give your new plants the best start in your yard.
Try something like this pine straw mulch, available from Fast Growing Trees.
Shop garden accessories
If you are planning to add one or two pittosporum companion plants to your yard this year, you should invest in this heavy-duty spade, which will make easy work of digging in borders.
