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Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf' (Dwarf Mock Orange) - A dense low growing cultivar of Mock Orange, Pittosporum tobira, that grows to 3-4 feet tall by about twice as wide with same rich green foliage as the species. Unlike the species this cultivar more rarely produces flowers or fruit.
Plant in full sun or shade, although plants may sunburn in hot inland exposures. Hardy to 10-15° F (severely damaged at 10° F). A very adaptable shrub that will tolerate seaside conditions, inland heat and alkaline soils. It is good for a low border planting or as a large scale groundcover but does poorly in overly wet or poor draining soils. Prune only if plant becomes too large as continuous pruning ruins shape and this work is best done in late winter. Unfortunately in recent years we have seen severe girdling of this plant in the Santa Barbara area that is caused by rodents feeding on the stems – it must taste really good to them!
Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf' was the result of a chance seedling of Pittosporum tobira from seed sowed by Carl Wheeler in 1951 at Wheeler's Central Georgia Nurseries in Macon Georgia. The plant was introduced in 1968 and first described in 1969 in Arnoldia 29:6. It is known in Australia as 'Miss Muffett. For more information about the species see our listing of Pittosporum tobira.
The information about Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
