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How to Grow Pittosporum Dark Burgundy

Pittosporum Dark Burgundy

Pittosporum tobira 'Dark Burgundy'

shrub

Pittosporum Dark Burgundy is an evergreen ornamental shrub prized for its deep burgundy-purple foliage that intensifies in cooler weather. It produces small, fragrant cream-colored flowers in spring and offers year-round visual interest with its dense, compact growth habit. This cultivar is excellent for hedges, screens, and container gardening.

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Example Pittosporum Dark Burgundy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Pittosporum Dark Burgundy

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Pittosporum Dark Burgundy

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pittosporum Dark Burgundy dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade, minimum 6 hours of direct sun daily for best foliage color
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Water: Moderate water needs; water deeply when soil is dry to the touch. Establish young plants with consistent moisture. Drought-tolerant once established, but performs better with regular watering.
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Spacing: 24-36 inches
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Days to maturity: Not applicable (ornamental shrub); reaches full size in 3-4 years
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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury stem

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Aged bark mulch

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8b-10, with best color development in zones 9-10

8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment (Transplant)

4-8 weeks

Young plant with emerging burgundy foliage; establishing root system

Water consistently to keep soil evenly moist. Shelter from harsh winds. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base, keeping away from stem.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-6 months

Rapid branching and leaf development; foliage darkens to deep burgundy in cool season

Prune lightly to encourage branching. Reduce watering frequency as plant establishes. Monitor for pests. Remove any leggy growth.

3

Flowering

3-4 weeks (spring)

Small clusters of fragrant cream to pale yellow flowers appear along branch tips

Light fertilizing encourages blooms. Flowers are ephemeral but aromatic. Do not deadhead if you want seed capsules to form.

4

Seed Development

8-12 weeks

Small round seed capsules develop and mature; foliage maintains deep burgundy color year-round

Remove spent flowers if desired to redirect energy to foliage. Maintain regular watering schedule.

5

Mature Shrub

Year-round (ongoing)

Full-sized, dense, compact shrub with consistent deep burgundy foliage; established root system

Prune annually to maintain desired shape and size. Reduce fertilizer and rely on natural rainfall in many climates. Foliage color intensifies in fall/winter.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Ornamental grasses (Miscanthus, Festuca) Japanese maple Photinia Nandina Loropetalum Heuchera Dusty miller

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring acidic soil (rhododendrons, blueberries) Species competing for water in very dry conditions Salt-sensitive plants if using de-icing salts nearby

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity with regular misting. Spray with horticultural oil or neem oil in early morning. Prune heavily infested foliage.

  • Prune affected branches. Apply horticultural oil spray in late winter before new growth. Hand-remove if infestation is minor.

  • Monitor leaf undersides. Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil if population is high.

  • Ensure good air circulation through pruning. Avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or neem oil if severe.

  • Improve drainage immediately. Reduce watering frequency. Repot in well-draining medium if in containers.

Uses

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Landscape and Hedge Use

Ornamental

Excellent as a hedge, privacy screen, or specimen plant in Mediterranean, coastal, or temperate gardens. The deep burgundy foliage provides striking year-round color contrast against other plantings. [source]

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Container Gardening

Household

Thrives in large containers for patios, entryways, and balconies. Can be trained as a topiary or formal shape. Provides year-round visual interest in small spaces. [source]

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Cut Flowers and Foliage Arrangements

Craft

Branches with flowers make fragrant spring arrangements. Deep burgundy foliage is valuable for floral design and adds color to mixed bouquets or dried arrangements. [source]

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Wildlife and Pollinator Support

Wildlife

The fragrant spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Seed capsules provide food for birds. Dense foliage offers shelter and nesting sites for small wildlife. [source]

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Fragrance Feature

Household

The small cream flowers emit a delicate, sweet fragrance in spring that can be enjoyed throughout the garden, especially pleasant in the evening. [source]

Harvest Tips

This is an ornamental shrub, not harvested for produce. Prune branches for fresh arrangements in spring when flowers are blooming. Harvest seed capsules in summer if desired for propagation. Pinch back growing tips in spring to encourage bushier growth.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Pittosporum tobira is native to China, Japan, and Taiwan, where it has been cultivated for centuries in traditional gardens.
  • 🌱 The name 'pittosporum' comes from the Greek words 'pitta' (pitch) and 'sporos' (seed), referring to the resinous seeds characteristic of the genus.
  • 🌱 The 'Dark Burgundy' cultivar's foliage color intensifies during cooler months, with some gardeners noting it can deepen to nearly black-burgundy in winter in zones 9-10.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade pH Pinch Back
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