Pittosporum tenuifolium (Silver Sheen) is a popular evergreen tree that is native to New Zealand. It is widely grown for its fast-growing privacy, attractive foliage and sweet smelling flowers during spring. Kohuhu trees are very low-maintenance, cold hardy and tolerate a wide range of soils.
Suitable for temperate climates.
Pittosporum tenuiflolium is also known as Black Matipo, Kohukohu, Tawhiwhi and in Australia is commonly referred to as Silver Sheen among nursery and landscape industries.
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Growth
Pittosporum tenuifolium is an evergreen tree that reaches heights of up to 10 metres (30 feet) and around 5 metres wide (15 feet). Silver Sheen is fast growing for a hedge and grows in a compact leafy style that provides great coverage and privacy. Some suggest the trees can grow from 50cm in height to 3 metres (10 feet) within five years.
The leaves are small, rarely longer than 5cm (2 inches) and can range from oval to almost circular. Younger leaves are covered in fine hairs, which sheds as they age into a surface that is smooth and glossy to the touch.
Flowering begins in late Spring and will often emit a fragrance in the evening. Once pollinated, the inedible fruit starts to appear in late summer.
For more information about growing Silver Sheen please click here.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Pittosporaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10°C to 30°C / 14 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (30 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 5 metres (15 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees and Insects.
MATURITY:
8-10 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
45-55%
GERMINATION TIME:
4 weeks cold stratification + 4-6 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 50.
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT PITTOSPORUM TENUIFOLIUM (Silver Sheen)
Silver Sheen produces small, dark, reddish-purple flowers that generally go unnoticed and are scented only at night.
The fresh gum resin is combined with the thickened juice of pūhā (sow thistle) and chewed as a cure for bad breath or sore gums. One source suggests the Silver Sheen plant is also used to treat eczema and other skin diseases.
There are historical reports of Māori spreading branches of Kōhūhū on the floor of guesthouses for their fragrance. A sprig of Kōhūhū was commonly used by tohunga in ceremonial proceedings such as the birth of a child.
