Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’ is an evergreen, mound-shaped shrub which I use frequently in planting schemes. With striking foliage and a compact, bushy habit, this shrub is invaluable for small gardens or low-growing borders reaching a height of 1m.

When grown in full sun, this attractive shrub has small, wavy, dark purple leaves and striking, dark grey or black young stems. It’s new growth is bright green – an eye-catching contrast against the pretty purple leaves. Small honey scented flowers in dark chocolate purple sometimes appear in July/August, but they are pretty insignificant. This is primarily a plant grown for its foliage – invaluable in January.

A perfect location for Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ is a sheltered spot with a lot of sunlight. Although this cultivar fares well in partial shade, the foliage might not be as vivid and showy as it is when in full sun. It will thrive in any fertile, moist, but well-drained soil and can survive temperatures as low as -10 degrees but, as with other Pittosporum varieties, ‘Tom Thumb’ needs sheltering from frost and winds as it prefers mild climates. Raised in New Zealand in 1960 where this plant is also known as Kohehu or Tawhiwhi Tom Thumb.

Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ grouped at the base of a silver birch, The Picton Garden and Old Court Nurseries, Malvern.