Australian Cheesewood: A Fragrant But Controversial Garden Choice
If you’ve ever caught a whiff of sweet, honey-like fragrance drifting through a California or Hawaiian garden in spring, you might have encountered Australian cheesewood (Pittosporum undulatum). This evergreen shrub has been making itself at home in American gardens for decades, though not without stirring up some debate among native plant enthusiasts.
What Is Australian Cheesewood?
Australian cheesewood is a perennial shrub that typically grows as a multi-stemmed woody plant, usually staying under 13 to 16 feet in height. True to its name, this plant hails from southeastern Australia, where it naturally occurs in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. However, it’s become well-established in parts of California and Hawaii, where it reproduces on its own without human intervention.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
In the United States, Australian cheesewood has naturalized in California and Hawaii. It’s adapted well to these mild, Mediterranean-like climates and can be found growing wild in addition to cultivated garden settings.
The Appeal: Why Gardeners Choose Australian Cheesewood
There’s no denying that Australian cheesewood has some attractive qualities that have made it popular with gardeners:
- Fragrant flowers: The small, white to cream-colored flowers release an intoxicating honey-sweet scent in spring
- Evergreen foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves with distinctive wavy edges provide year-round interest
- Colorful berries: Orange berries follow the flowers, adding autumn color
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant and requires minimal care
- Versatile use: Works well as screening, hedging, or specimen planting
Growing Conditions and Care
Australian cheesewood is surprisingly adaptable, which partly explains its success as a non-native species. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, making it suitable for warmer regions of the country.
Ideal growing conditions include:
- Well-drained soil (tolerates various soil types)
- Partial shade to full sun exposure
- Regular water during establishment, drought tolerant once mature
- Protection from strong winds in exposed locations
Planting and Care Tips
If you decide to grow Australian cheesewood, here are some practical tips for success:
- Timing: Plant in fall or early spring for best establishment
- Spacing: Allow adequate room for mature size, typically 6-10 feet apart
- Pruning: Light pruning after flowering helps maintain shape
- Pest watch: Monitor for scale insects, which can occasionally be problematic
- Seed management: Remove berries if you want to prevent self-seeding
Garden Design Applications
Australian cheesewood works well in several landscape scenarios:
- Mediterranean-style gardens where its drought tolerance shines
- Coastal gardens that benefit from its wind tolerance
- Privacy screening where its evergreen nature provides year-round coverage
- Informal woodland edges where it can naturalize
Pollinator and Wildlife Benefits
The fragrant spring flowers do attract bees and other pollinators, providing some ecological value. The berries may also provide food for birds, though this varies by region and local wildlife preferences.
The Native Alternative Conversation
While Australian cheesewood isn’t currently classified as invasive in most areas where it grows, it is a non-native species that readily self-seeds and spreads. Many native plant advocates encourage gardeners to consider indigenous alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems.
Some native alternatives to consider include:
- California native ceanothus species for screening and fragrant flowers
- Native honeysuckles for fragrance and wildlife value
- Regional native shrubs that offer similar evergreen screening
Making the Decision
Australian cheesewood presents gardeners with a classic non-native plant dilemma: it’s undeniably attractive and low-maintenance, but it’s not supporting native ecosystems and has the potential to spread beyond garden boundaries. If you choose to grow it, consider removing berries to prevent unwanted spread, and perhaps balance your landscape with plenty of native plants as well.
Whether you embrace this fragrant Australian import or opt for native alternatives, the key is making an informed choice that aligns with your gardening values and local environmental conditions.
