Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Golf Ball’
Golf Ball Pittosporum
- Family
- Pittosporaceae
- Height
- 2 to 4 feet
- Width
- 2 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- Inconspicuous; dark purple
- Foliage color
- Bright green
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Low
- Maintenance
- Low; requires minimal pruning to maintain its rounded shape
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 8 to 10
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and other pollinators with its flowers
About this plant
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Golf Ball' is an evergreen shrub known for its naturally compact, rounded form and dense, finely textured foliage. The small, glossy leaves are a bright, fresh green, creating a tidy, uniform appearance that resembles a carefully clipped topiary. This variety requires little to no pruning to maintain its neat, spherical shape, making it an excellent low-maintenance option for formal gardens, borders, or container plantings.
In spring, 'Golf Ball' may produce small, inconspicuous dark purple flowers, adding a subtle touch of interest. Its versatility and year-round structure make it a popular choice for adding elegance and definition to any garden setting. Its dramatic foliage transitions provide strong visual contrast alongside other evergreen shrubs and shade-loving perennials throughout the year.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Formal Gardens · Containers · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Camas · Wire-netting bush · Goldenrod · Blue fescue · Dianthus · Mexican orange blossom
Design tip
Repeat ‘Golf Ball’s’ naturally spherical form to establish a strong visual rhythm and sense of order. Its bright green foliage keeps the repeated geometry from feeling overly rigid, while the compact evergreen structure gives the composition definition throughout the year.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
