Pittosporum Species, Cheesewood, Japanese Mock Orange

The birds and the bees won't even touch this perfumed alien. Its plastic-looking leaves do nothing for the American ecosystem. It's pok...Read Moreey and gangly and needs to be trimmed regularly. It sucks away water and nutrients from trees and other real plants. It's a lonely, awkward statue of a bush, perfect for a large concrete patio filled with plastic furniture. They might as well sell these on the aisles at Walmart.

Just wanted to add to the comment about a severe allergic reaction. I have been working with my shrub this week, trimming off low growth...Read More so in amongst the foliage, and removing volunteer babies (some to plant elsewhere - the rest pull up very easily). I've had no reaction at all, so it seems that it is only certain people who react. If you're thinking of getting this pittosporum, it may be wise to make its acquaintance first in case you are one of those who have a bad reaction.

Other than that my review would be an enthusiastic positive. This tidy plant flourishes with very little care and provides dense shiny dark green foliage all year, and of course the sweet-swelling blossoms for a few weeks too.

You plant these things anywhere, they WILL grow. The fragrance is incredible, wafts, and tends to last a while (mine bloom sporadically i...Read Moren summer and fall in addition to spring)

However, the problem is just that, that they will grow anywhere. These plants tend to seed themselves in the top of trees, in the driveway, in the lawn...not sure if anybody else had the same issue, I didn't read all the comments. But for goodness sake the positives outweigh the negatives - you want a tough, carefree shrub that will please you and live forever, plant these in your yard! The scent is wonderful! Just watch out for those seedlings!

I inherited several of these planted as a hedge, poorly pruned into a little rectangular box. I cut some down to about 12 inches, while ...Read MoreI pruned up two to allow them to become trees. All are doing well.

The topped ones I am keeping low and are lush and full shrubs. The "treed" ones are fine, as they will take a bit longer to reach their full10-12 foot height with the coaxing of my pruning and shaping.

One of the neighbors has a tree form at about 15 ft., and it is a lovely, shade-giving, emerald green parasol. These are very commonly planted landscape shrubs in Southern California, but are so attractive up close, their ubiquity is well-earned.

If you decide to plant this, know that established plants are VERY difficult to remove, so be sure of your location before planting. These are drought tolerant and lush - a very nice combination in a landscape shrub. 'Wheeler's Dwarf' grow slowly to 6 ft. tall, but it is easy to keep them where you want them!

One more note: Occasionally gets spider mite. Easy to spray off with a strong jet of water, and problem solved.