





Why Pittosporum Silver Sheen?
The Pittosporum Silver Sheen (Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen') has earned its reputation as one of California's most elegant privacy hedge choices for good reason. This exceptional evergreen creates a distinctive, shimmering barrier that transforms your outdoor space into a sophisticated sanctuary. From the coastal estates of Malibu to the vineyard properties of Napa Valley, this versatile hedge adorns some of the most discerning landscapes across the state, prized for its unique silvery foliage that catches and reflects sunlight beautifully.
Quick Planting Guide:
For instant privacy: Plant close enough that leaves almost touch for immediate dense coverage.
Center-to-center Spacing
Center-to-center spacing refers to the distance between the centers of two adjacent plants.
Varieties & Uses
The Pittosporum Silver Sheen is incredibly versatile, with several popular applications:
- Privacy Hedges: Create elegant living screens that provide privacy while allowing filtered light through their open growth habit
- Property Boundaries: Define your space with a beautiful natural border that shimmers in the breeze
- Windbreaks: Protect your property from coastal winds while maintaining an airy, refined appearance
- Specimen Plants: When grown individually, they create stunning focal points with their distinctive silvery foliage and graceful form
- Coastal Landscaping: Excellent salt tolerance makes them perfect for seaside properties
Why Choose Plants Express
- Professional Delivery: Our own fleet delivers directly to your door
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Customer Support: Knowledgeable staff to answer all your questions
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California Grown: Plants acclimated to local conditions for better success
- Guaranteed Quality: 24-hour money-back guarantee on all plants
PLANTING GUIDE
PLANTING GUIDE
For optimal growth of your Pittosporum Silver Sheen, follow these planting guidelines:
Location: Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade. Ensure adequate space for mature growth (15-20 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide).
Soil: Plant in well-draining, fertile soil. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, amend it with organic matter or compost.
Planting Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball.
Placement: Position the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Backfilling: Fill the hole with soil, gently firming it to eliminate air pockets.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, keeping it away from the stems.
Temperature & Climate
The Pittosporum Silver Sheen thrives in USDA Zones 8-11, tolerating outdoor temperatures as low as 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit. Being native to New Zealand, it adapts perfectly to California's Mediterranean climate, with excellent coastal tolerance once established. It performs exceptionally well in seaside areas, as it can withstand salt spray and ocean winds, making it ideal for coastal properties. In hot inland areas, it benefits from some afternoon shade protection.
CARE GUIDE
CARE GUIDE
Watering Requirements
Establishment Period: Water regularly during the first year to develop a strong root system, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Established Plants: Once established, Silver Sheen becomes quite drought-tolerant but benefits from deep watering during extended dry periods
Technique: Deep, thorough watering is preferable to frequent shallow watering
Soil Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist but well-draining to prevent root rot issues
Fertilization
Feed plants with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage healthy growth and enhance the silvery foliage color. A second light feeding in mid-summer can promote vigorous growth, especially when grown as a hedge. Avoid excess nitrogen, which can cause rapid, leggy growth that reduces the plant's natural elegant form and silvery sheen.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pittosporum Silver Sheen responds excellently to trimming, making it ideal for formal hedges or natural screens. Regular light pruning encourages dense, compact growth while maintaining the plant's characteristic airy appearance. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to keep plants healthy and showcase the distinctive black stems. While it naturally grows 15-20 feet tall, its size and shape can easily be controlled with pruning, making it perfect for smaller gardens or specific height requirements.
Take a 15‑Second Tour of Our 15‑Gallon Silver Sheen
Size Matters: Bigger Hedges, Instant Privacy
When it comes to creating your dream landscape, starting with the right foundation makes all the difference. A robust hedge plant doesn't just look better on day one; it establishes faster, withstands stress better, and creates the privacy and beauty you desire in a fraction of the time.





FAQ'S
How tall will my Pittosporum Silver Sheen get?
Pittosporum Silver Sheen typically reaches 15-20 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide when left to grow naturally. However, it responds excellently to pruning and can easily be maintained at any desired height from 6 feet to its full mature size. Its naturally upright, columnar growth habit makes it perfect for creating tall, narrow privacy screens that don't take up excessive ground space.
How long before I have privacy?
For instant privacy, we recommend getting the 25-gallon size. With moderate to fast growth rates of 12-24 inches per year, you can expect meaningful privacy within 2-3 growing seasons.
How often should I water my Pittosporum Silver Sheen?
First Year (Establishment Period): Water deeply 2-3 times per week, ensuring soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. This helps develop a strong root system.
After Establishment: Silver Sheen becomes quite drought-tolerant. Water deeply once per week during growing season, reducing to every 2-3 weeks in winter. In coastal areas with natural moisture, watering may be needed less frequently.
Signs you're watering correctly: New growth is vibrant, leaves maintain their silvery sheen, and soil feels moist 2-3 inches down.
How do I maintain the ideal height and shape of my Pittosporum Silver Sheen?
Timing: Prune in early spring (February-March) before new growth begins, or lightly after flowering.
For Formal Hedges:
Shear 2-3 times per year to maintain crisp lines
Never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at once
Start shaping when plants reach 3-4 feet tall
For Natural Screens:
Light pruning once yearly to remove dead or crossing branches
Tip-prune overly long branches to encourage density
Allow the natural airy, open habit to develop
Height Control: To maintain a specific height, consistently trim new growth back to your desired level. Silver Sheen responds well to regular light pruning rather than heavy annual cuts.