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Key characteristics

Family: Pittosporaceae
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Width: 2 to 3 feet
Flower color: Creamy white
Foliage color: Variegated green with creamy white to yellow edges
Bloom time: Spring
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance: Low; may need occasional pruning to maintain shape
Growing zone: USDA Zones 8 to 11
Wildlife: Bees and other pollinators

Shrubs

Pittosporum tobira 'Shima'

Cream de Mint Dwarf Pittosporum

Pittosporum tobira 'Shima' is a beautifully variegated shrub characterized by its glossy green leaves edged in creamy white to yellow, creating a luminous and elegant display year-round. In late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers that fill the air with a delightful orange-blossom-like scent.

Native to East Asia, Pittosporum tobira has long been cultivated for its ornamental value and adaptability to different growing conditions.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

Bloom time

Spring

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Containers
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Lupine · Firethorn · Red valerian · Blue oat grass · Rock rose · Snow-in-summer

Design tip

Frame darker areas of a planting with ‘Shima’s’ creamy-edged foliage, allowing the variegation to create crisp definition and year-round brightness. Its dense evergreen form keeps the effect substantial, while fragrant white flowers introduce a softer layer of interest in spring.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)