The Pittosporum tobira ‘Miss Muffet’ is a top-notch dwarf evergreen shrub, celebrated for its naturally compact and rounded form. It’s a fantastic little plant that offers all the benefits of its larger relatives but in a perfectly petite size. It features thick, leathery, and incredibly glossy green leaves that form a dense, tidy mound. In spring, it can produce small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers, but it’s primarily grown for its foliage and neat shape. Its low-maintenance nature makes it a perfect choice for busy gardeners.
Caring for Your ‘Miss Muffet’
- Growing Conditions: This tough little plant is a real all-rounder. It thrives in full sun to part shade and can even handle a fair bit of shade. It’s not fussy about soil as long as it’s well-draining, and it can tolerate coastal conditions and salt spray, making it a ripper for Aussie coastal gardens. It’s also quite drought-tolerant once established.
- Watering: Water it regularly until it’s settled in, and then it will only need watering during long, dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as it dislikes “wet feet.”
- Feeding: ‘Miss Muffet’ isn’t a hungry plant. A light feed with a slow-release, general-purpose fertiliser in spring is all that’s needed to keep it looking its best.
- Pruning: Pruning is rarely necessary due to its naturally neat and compact habit. If you want to keep it a specific size or neaten it up, a light trim in mid-spring is all that’s required. This makes it a great substitute for plants that need constant trimming.
Usage in the Garden
This versatile little shrub is perfect for creating a clean, formal look in the garden. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for a low border along paths, a front-of-garden bed feature, or for planting under windows. It looks sensational in pots and containers on patios and balconies, and its tidy habit means it’s perfect for small gardens and courtyards.
