Plant of the Month: Pittosporum tobira ‘Neige du Mont Ventoux’ (May 2025)

This variegated Japanese Pittosporum — P. tobira ‘Neige du Mont Ventoux’ — is a lovely addition to any garden, and particularly courtyard gardens, where space is at a premium, as it is the perfect specimen for growing in a container.

It was at a rare plant fair in Kent many years ago when I spotted this very appealing shrub. It was “twinkling” at me so, naturally, I found I just could not resist it and brought it home! Because of its branched structure, it was placed in a terracotta container and there it has remained, contented, to this day. I hadn’t realised at the time though, that this variety is very suitable for a container, as its height and width is generally no more than one metre at maturity.

It’s a rather handsome shrub, with creamy-white edges to the elongated leaves, from which the perfumed, white-aging-cream flower clusters emerge in May.

When I recently took the photos all was well. However, a few days later I discovered that the majority of the flower clusters were looking unsightly due to an ‘overnight’ infestation of black aphids. Action was needed, so a soapy solution was added to a spray bottle and, after several applications, the problem was solved; each flower clusters is now clean and clear of aphids. I could, of course, have left nature take it course, particularly with numerous birds coming into the garden and the incoming rain. But, from experience, we all know this sometimes doesn’t happen. I wanted to enjoy the remaining weeks of the beautiful flowering clusters and their hypnotic honey scent, without worrying that the infestation might possibly weaken and distort the shrub over time.

Pittosporum tobira ‘Neige du Mont Ventoux is strikingly architectural, ideal for London gardens and, also, coastal regions. My shrub is given a sprinkling of fertiliser granules once or twice a year and watered well: I don’t want to lose it. And I love it!

Anna L