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Japanese pittosporum and Alaheʻe: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese pittosporum Pittosporum tobira	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Alaheʻe Psydrax odorata
	GO NATIVE
Native range
China and Japan	Hawaiian native range: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Well-drained soil; moist to occasionally dry	Dry soil
Mature height
8–13 ft	10–50 ft
Mature spread
4–8 ft	Usually under 10 ft, sometimes 20+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
8–10	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Spring flowers & evergreen foliage	Intermittent fragrant flowers
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	Fragrant white flowers and drought-tolerant native foliage make a durable screen.
Growing notes
Evergreen shrub; cultivar size varies. Fragrant flowers and dense foliage suit screening.	Slow-growing; use full sun and well-drained soil, and leave space for a tree.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.