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Perfectly round, variegated and dangerously tidy 🔄
Family: Pittosporaceae • Pot diameter: 15 cm • Height: ~20–25 cm
The Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay' is an evergreen, variegated shrub with fine, dense foliage that gently shifts colour through the seasons: more olive green with cream edges in spring, soft pink–cream–green tones in summer and pink–purple hues in winter. Its naturally rounded, compact habit and steady shape make it ideal for low hedges, borders or containers by the entrance and on the terrace, with very little pruning needed to keep it looking neat.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay' shows its best colour in full sun or bright partial shade. In cooler regions it can take more sun, while in very hot, south-facing positions some afternoon shade is helpful. Choose a soil or container mix with excellent drainage: add organic matter and, where needed, sand or pumice to prevent the roots from sitting in water. In coastal locations it tolerates salty winds and exposure, as long as excess water can drain away. In pots, choose a container with enough volume and drainage holes so it can maintain its dense foliage and seasonal colour shifts.
Design goal: an evergreen structural element that gently shifts colour throughout the year and keeps the space looking tidy, while allowing bolder colours around it to stand out.
Taxonomic background: The genus Pittosporum belongs to the family Pittosporaceae and includes evergreen shrubs and small trees widely used in temperate and Mediterranean gardens for structure, hedging and background planting. The species Pittosporum tenuifolium is especially popular thanks to its fine foliage and high tolerance of wind and coastal conditions.
Habitat & distribution: The wild species is native to New Zealand, where it occurs in coastal and low-mountain areas, often exposed to wind and salty air. This origin explains its good performance in coastal plantings and windy urban gardens across Europe.
Naming & selection: The cultivar 'Bannow Bay' (clone with the commercial name 'Breebay'PBR) is named after Bannow Bay in Ireland. It is a natural mutation (sport) of Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb', selected for its distinctive multicoloured foliage and compact, spherical habit. It was selected and first evaluated by Annette and Pierce Breen (Bannow Bay Nursery), with the aim of creating a shrub that offers colour changes but remains naturally tidy with minimal pruning.
Propagation & PBR status: As a protected variety (EU 61715), 'Bannow Bay' is propagated exclusively vegetatively (cuttings, nursery production) to preserve the clonal leaf pattern and crown structure. Its international management and distribution are handled by breeding/marketing organisations such as Plantipp, resulting in uniform plants that, after around 4 years in the ground, typically reach about 100 cm high and 60 cm wide with a naturally rounded, dense crown.
| 🔎 Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Botanical name | Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Bannow Bay' ('Breebay'PBR) |
| 🪴 Pot / size | 15 cm • height ~20–25 cm • evergreen shrub, still growing |
| ☀️ Light | Sun to partial shade; in brighter positions the foliage colours (green–cream, pink, purple) show more clearly, with a bit of protection in very hot, south-facing sites. |
| 💧 Watering | Moderate; keep the soil slightly moist while establishing, then it tolerates short dry periods once well rooted. |
| 🌡️ Temperature | Hardy to around -10°C in soils with good drainage. In containers, provide protection during prolonged frost and strong northerly winds. |
| 🎨 Foliage colour | Spring–early summer: olive-green with cream to white edges; summer: a mix of pink–cream–green; winter: foliage with pink–purple tones in cooler climates. |
| 📏 Final size | After about 4 years in the ground, it can reach around 100 cm high and 60 cm wide, with a naturally rounded, compact crown. |
| ☠️ Toxicity | Parts of the plant are considered potentially toxic if ingested. Avoid children and pets chewing leaves or fruits. |
It prefers sun to partial shade. In cooler gardens it can take more direct sun, while in very hot, south-facing exposures some afternoon shade helps. In well-lit spots the foliage colours appear more vivid.
In the ground, after around 4 years, it can reach about 100 cm high and 60 cm wide. To keep it compact, one light shaping prune per year is enough, at the end of winter or after the main flush of growth.
Yes, it is an excellent choice for coastal gardens and windy courtyards. It tolerates salty air and wind, as long as the soil drains well and water does not stagnate around the roots.
It can live permanently in a container, provided the pot is large enough and filled with quality compost. Upsize the container as it grows, ensure good drainage and carry out light pruning and partial substrate renewal every few years.
© Original plant description by Greenleaf Garden Center. All rights reserved. | This text is original material. Copying is prohibited (Law 2121/1993).
🔎 Note: Due to the natural variability of plants, the plant you receive may differ slightly from the one in the photo. Form, size or colouring depend on the season, growing conditions and the individuality of each plant.
