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Help! What's the name of this plant and how to take care of it?

marissa.gYgenr1kzmarissa.gYgenr1kz Posts: 6
in Plants
We have this big bush outside our house in Portugal which looked amazing when we bought the house. We don't know how to look after it, and it's slowly becoming more twigs than leaves. It's in the south of Portugal, Algarve is a hot Mediterranean climate. 2nd photo is a closer look of the plant.


I don't know what it's called. In one of the photo there is a small flower. I tried googling it and maybe not my lucky day to know the name of this plant. I hope someone can identify this plant. Smiling thank you.



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Posts

  • msqingxiaomsqingxiao Posts: 482
    I'm no expert but my plant ID app says it's Manatoka. Bumping it in the hope someone can confirm it for you.  :)
  • cmarkrcmarkr Posts: 142
    Leaves look like a ficus to me. E.g. ficus retusa. Only a houseplant in UK, wouldn't survive below ~5-10°C.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Not sure if I can help but are  the flowers scented. I have never heard of Manakota and I doubt if it something we can grow in the UK if that is the correct ID. It looks like an evergreen or is it just coming into leaf?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Manatoka is indigenous to Australia, so perhaps @Pat E could have a look and confirm the ID, if she’s looking in 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    GardenerSuze said:
    Not sure if I can help but are  the flowers scented. I have never heard of Manakota and I doubt if it something we can grow in the UK if that is the correct ID. It looks like an evergreen or is it just coming into leaf?

    The OP lives in Portugal. ;)
  • Pat EPat E Posts: 12,316
    Hi everyone. The only Myoporum I’m familiar with is Myoporum floribunda which grows around the Snowy mountains region, near us. It has narrow leaves (Sorry I didn’t know it by the other name). Not much help, sorry. 
    S. E. NSW
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Think that is why it may be difficult to ID as it comes from a warmer climate so won't grow in the UK.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • marissa.gYgenr1kzmarissa.gYgenr1kz Posts: 6
    msqingxiao said:
    I'm no expert but my plant ID app says it's Manatoka. Bumping it in the hope someone can confirm it for you.  :)
    That's what I read too, but I tried googling as a hedge for landscaping and not sure if it's a cherry laurel hedge
  • marissa.gYgenr1kzmarissa.gYgenr1kz Posts: 6
    Hi Everyone, 

    I tried the plant id and it says Manatoka but the plant that we have is more like a hedge. So I tried googling, common hedge plant for landscaping in Portugal and it says Laurel hedge plant. 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It looks vaguely Pittosporum-y to me. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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