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Japanese pittosporum and Koʻolau hōʻawa: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese pittosporum Pittosporum tobira	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Koʻolau hōʻawa Pittosporum glabrum
	GO NATIVE
Native range
China and Japan	Hawaiian native range: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Well-drained soil; moist to occasionally dry	Average moisture
Mature height
8–13 ft	15–30 ft
Mature spread
4–8 ft	10+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
8–10	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Spring flowers & evergreen foliage	Intermittent flowers
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	Clusters of pale flowers and native foliage add structure to a moist garden.
Growing notes
Evergreen shrub; cultivar size varies. Fragrant flowers and dense foliage suit screening.	An evergreen tree for moist conditions; leave room for its full height and canopy.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.