Kiwi Native Wins Prestigious Award

A New Zealand native evergreen has scooped a gold medal on the world stage, winning the Retailers’ Choice Award at AmericanHort Cultivate’26 – North America’s premier horticultural trade event

Presented at the show by Monrovia (a prominent American nursery company), Kiwiflora’s Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Pot Belly’ (PVR) was the top pick of a panel of independent retail judges out of hundreds of new plant introductions.

Judges selected ‘Pot Belly’ as the standout variety destined to bring “immediate excitement and commercial success” to retailers. It was also praised for its “politeness” – arising from its compact, rounded shape that stands out against other landscape options typically found on the market.

Bred in New Zealand and managed worldwide under the Kiwiflora International portfolio, ‘Pot Belly’ is a dwarf form of the native Karo. It was developed by Peter Stott and his wife Joan, who co-founded the AWA Nursery in Waimauku, Auckland, to provide a tough, reliable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional boxwoods (Buxus), forming a natural, tidy glove with minimal trimming required.

Its visual contrast – featuring thick, glossy green leaves with silvery-white felted undersides – are complemented by small, sweetly scented, dark-red flowers through spring and summer.

“We are absolutely thrilled by this win,” said Malcolm Woolmore, Kiwiflora International Director. “We always knew ‘Pot Belly’ was a special plant with its combination of effortless, architecturally clean structure and absolute resilience.

“Seeing American retailers recognise those same qualities on one of the world’s biggest stages is a massive win not just for us but for Kiwi horticulturists in general.

“One of the features of the plant that has been picked up and emphasised in the USA, where it is starting to take off, is the silver underside, which adds a pleasing contrast when the wind ruffles its foliage.”

Built for Modern Spaces

‘Pot Belly’ was bred to handle modern landscaping demands in New Zealand and abroad. It measures 1.2m x 1.2m and Woolmore says it is a versatile performer.

‘Pot Belly’ is extremely wind-hardy, possesses salt-air tolerance for coastal gardens and thrives in anything from full sun to part shade with very low water requirements once established,” said Woolmore.

“Whether used as a rhythmically spaced modern border, a low structural hedge, or a premium patio container specimen, this award-winning native is proving that tough-as-nails performance doesn’t mean sacrificing elegant, effortless form.

“We are seeing growing demand from landscapers for compact, naturally structured plants that require less clipping and maintenance.”

Pot Belly is being tested in Europe ahead of a market launch there and is far hardier in terms of cold resistance than anticipated.