Pittosporum replaces Photinia as the new favourite privacy hedge

Many garden owners are despairing over hole-ridden Photinia hedges – while another, remarkably uncomplicated shrub is quietly taking centre stage.

Anyone who chose the fashionable Photinia ‘Red Robin’ in recent years is often now faced with a sorry sight: bare branches, brown patches and an ongoing need for sprays. As entire neighbourhoods complain about the visual decline of their hedges, a previously underestimated contender is coming to the fore: Pittosporum. What makes it so resilient – and is switching worthwhile in the United Kingdom?

Why Photinia fails in so many gardens

Spotted leaves and bare hedges: the fungal problem

The former star of front-garden hedges has a serious health issue. A particular leaf fungus attacks Photinia severely. Small brown spots first appear on the foliage. They spread quickly; the leaves can no longer function properly, dry out and drop off.

“What began as dense screening often ends as a sparse thicket of stems – with privacy completely lost.”

Mild winters and wet springs are especially problematic. These conditions suit the fungus extremely well, allowing it to multiply rapidly and infect entire rows of plants. In many new-build estates, it is now possible to see miles of hedges declining at the same time.

High maintenance, little success

Many homeowners try to tackle the problem by:

• spraying with fungicides several times a year
• pruning repeatedly to remove diseased shoots
• continually collecting and disposing of affected leaves

Despite all this effort, results remain poor. Costs rise, patience wears thin, and the fungus generally returns the following year – often more vigorously than before. Amateur gardeners in particular quickly lose heart and look for a more sustainable answer.

The fashionable hedge has reached its limit

This decline strongly recalls the fall of Thuja hedges several years ago. Then, too, a single plant species had been planted everywhere. Once diseases and pests take hold, such monocultures have little chance.

Garden professionals have been noticing a clear shift in attitudes for some time. Demand for Photinia is falling, and many nurseries are reducing their range. More resilient species are taking its place – and this is where Pittosporum’s quiet rise begins.

Pittosporum: the new favourite for dense, modern privacy hedges

Evergreen, colourful and easy to shape

Originally from warmer regions, Pittosporum has proved surprisingly adaptable in many temperate areas. The shrub offers several qualities that are indispensable in a hedge:

• Evergreen foliage: year-round privacy, including in winter
• Dense branching: forms an effective visual screen after only a few years
• Moderate growth: usually grows by 20–30 cm a year, making it easy to manage
• Attractive leaves: depending on the variety, green, grey-green or decoratively variegated

Many varieties have gently glossy, almost leathery leaves. This not only looks refined, but also provides a calm, graphic backdrop for perennials or ornamental grasses in a border. For front gardens around modern homes, this appearance is a clear advantage.

Far less disease pressure

Pittosporum’s greatest strength is its resistance to the common leaf fungi that trouble Photinia. In practical terms, this means:

• a much lower risk of severe leaf loss
• very little need for chemical plant protection
• hedges that remain evenly dense for many years

“Pittosporum is not considered invulnerable, but it is a far more dependable choice for anyone wanting a hedge without constant stress.”

The environmental aspect also now matters to many garden owners. Those wishing to avoid sprays need plants that are naturally more robust. In this respect, Photinia is clearly at a disadvantage.

Low-maintenance rather than labour-intensive

Planting Pittosporum does not mean no work at all, but the required care is manageable:

• Pruning: a light annual trim is usually sufficient
• Watering: water regularly during the first years after planting, then only during prolonged dry spells
• Feeding: a little organic fertiliser or compost in spring is enough

Many varieties tolerate both sun and bright partial shade. Growth slows on very heavy, waterlogged soils; a drainage layer or slightly raised planting strip can help in these conditions.

Using Pittosporum as a privacy screen in your garden

The correct planting density for a dense hedge

How closely plants should be spaced depends on the variety and the intended height. As a broad guide:

Planned hedge height	Recommended plant spacing
up to 1.20 m	50–60 cm
1.50–1.80 m	60–80 cm
over 2.00 m	70–90 cm

For a screen that becomes dense particularly quickly, plant slightly closer together. Those with more time who want very sturdy individual shrubs over the long term can allow wider spacing.

Suitable varieties for temperate gardens

Various species and cultivars are available from retailers. Common options include:

• Pittosporum tenuifolium: a slender habit and very popular as a hedge plant
• Variegated varieties: cream-white or yellowish leaf margins, ideal for bright accents
• Compact dwarf forms: for low edging or container planting

Winter protection is an important consideration in colder areas. Many varieties cope with light frosts, but during severe cold spells a horticultural fleece cover, a layer of leaves around the root zone, or a more sheltered position will help.

Why mixed hedges are the better long-term choice

More species, less risk

Many specialists now generally advise against hedges made from only one plant species. This also applies to Pittosporum, however robust it may be. Mixed hedges reduce the risk that a single pest or fungus will ruin the entire privacy-screening project.

Successful combinations include:

• Elaeagnus (oleaster) for silvery shimmering foliage
• hazel shrubs for naturalistic garden areas
• Cornus (dogwood) for colourful winter stems

“A mixed hedge does more than shield you from prying eyes: it also creates habitat for birds, insects and small mammals.”

Shrubs that flower at different times provide nectar over many months. Berry-bearing species feed birds in autumn and winter. In this way, a simple privacy screen becomes a small, resilient ecosystem.

More design options for the front garden and patio

Combining Pittosporum with other species also offers visual benefits. Pale, variegated foliage can make darker conifers appear fresher. Alongside grasses, it creates a modern, almost Mediterranean feel – without making the garden look as though it belongs in a holiday brochure.

Conveniently, many Pittosporum varieties are also suitable for large containers on a balcony or patio. This makes it possible to create a consistent style around the home, from the front garden to the roof terrace.

What garden owners should consider before switching

Before removing a weakened Photinia hedge entirely, it is worth taking a close look: if only individual plants are severely affected, partial replacement may make sense. However, those who have struggled for years and repeatedly seen the same damage are often better served by a complete fresh start.

Pittosporum offers better disease resistance, lower maintenance demands and attractive foliage. The only key concern is winter hardiness in the local microclimate. In exposed, windy locations or at higher elevations, it is advisable to trial a few plants before redesigning an entire boundary.

Anyone who chooses a mixed hedge from the outset spreads the risk and increases the ecological value of their garden. Pittosporum can form the central evergreen element within it – without the weaknesses that have led many people away from Photinia.