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Japanese pittosporum and Naupaka kahakai: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese pittosporum Pittosporum tobira	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Naupaka kahakai Scaevola taccada
	GO NATIVE
Native range
China and Japan	Hawaiian native range: Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Hawaiʻi, Northwest Islands.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	Under 2–10 ft, by form
Mature spread
4–8 ft	15+ ft
USDA hardiness zones
8–10	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Spring flowers & evergreen foliage	Year-round flowers
Garden & wildlife value
Wildlife relationships are not detailed in the linked profile.	This native coastal shrub makes a salt-tolerant hedge with little watering after establishment.
Growing notes
Evergreen shrub; cultivar size varies. Fragrant flowers and dense foliage suit screening.	Use the coastal species, Scaevola taccada, in full sun; allow for a broad mature spread.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.