Pittosporum Bannow Bay

Bannow Bay is a selection of the New Zealand shrub Pittosporum tenuifolium, its name borrowed from a bay on the south-east coast of Ireland. The leaves open a fresh light green edged with cream in spring, then take on mottled green and burgundy tones as summer wears on, so the plant is never quite the same colour twice.

It asks for very little. A light trim keeps the shape neat, best done after flowering, and there is no need for heavy pruning on such a slow grower. In a pot, use a loam-based compost and water through dry spells, since container roots dry out faster than those in open ground.