Does crème de mint dwarf pittosporum have good flowers?

5 months ago

I have a variegated pittosporum tobira in my zone 8b garden. It is in the ground and has survived a couple of winters. No flowers so far.

I was wondering if any of the dwarf cultivars like crème de mint have decent flowers..

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 months ago

IME, most pitts are very shy bloomers. They tend to be grown more for their foliar effect. I've grown selections of P. tenuifolium for years without any signs of flowering. Some do flower a little more readily and tobira and its cultivars seem to lead the pack. Having said that, reports on 'Cream De Mint' indicate that its flowers are insignificant and "barely visible".

Since this shrub has such great foliage, I'd consider any flowering just a bonus.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Dorian W (PNW 8b)
Original Author
5 months ago
@gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9), thanks for the insight. I think this year I won't anxiously wait for flowers and just enjoy the foliage. Maybe I will look into a gardenia :) Years ago, when we had just bought our house, there was a gardenia in a shady spot but it died. I know gardenias don't do well in the PNW, but hopes springs eternal...
0
Related Professionals
Carson Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Walnut Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cambridge Landscape Contractors · Hicksville Landscape Contractors · Olympia Landscape Contractors · Pahrump Landscape Contractors · Thornton Landscape Contractors · West Chicago Landscape Contractors · Chesapeake Ranch Estates Landscape Contractors · Ocoee Landscape Contractors · Vermilion Landscape Contractors · Woodbury Landscape Contractors · Cave Spring Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Cincinnati Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Salt Lake City Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
floraluk2
5 months ago
You could look at the various Choisyas for an evergreen shrub with interesting foliage and fragrant white flowers.
Dorian W (PNW 8b) thanked floraluk2
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 months ago
That's a great suggestion from floral! Choisyas are workhorse shrubs in PNW gardens but I have never detected a very strong fragrance from the flowers. Very light scent to my nose.

A couple of other wonderfully fragrant shrubs to consider are sweetbox, Sarcococca, for shady areas and Daphne odora.
Dorian W (PNW 8b) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Dorian W (PNW 8b)
Original Author
5 months ago
Thank you @floraluk2 and @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)! I will look into choisyas, sarcococca and daphne. I would need a smaller than regular choisya ternata, but after looking around I see that cultivars like gold fingers and aztec pearl are smaller.
0
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 months ago
Aztec Pearl is my favorite! Heavy bloom in spring and often a lighter repeat in early fall.
Dorian W (PNW 8b) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)