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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: 480
    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: 5,059
    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?
    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS.
    Building a garden is very personal. It's not quite the same as installing a boiler.
    James Alexander Sinclair 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,175
    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: 3,996
    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. ;)
    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • Pat EPat E Posts: 11,988
    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: 5,059
    Think that is why it may be difficult to ID as it comes from a warmer climate so won't grow in the UK.
    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS.
    Building a garden is very personal. It's not quite the same as installing a boiler.
    James Alexander Sinclair 
  • 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: 5,423
    It looks vaguely Pittosporum-y to me. 
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