Forestiera

( for - iss - TEER - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of mostly shrubs and some small trees is native to Mexico and South America as well as the southern United States. They are commonly called Swamp Privets due to their proclivity for colonizing wet, swampy landscapes. These shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen depending on the species and growing conditions, and provide a stable source of food, shelter and habitat for wildlife. Swamp Privets make great additions to rain gardens or bioswales, and can also serve as a privacy screen or windbreak.

Forestiera species and varietals

The genus Forestiera is a member of the Olive plant family (Oleaceae) and includes around 20 species. Forestiera grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-3 and 7-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Forestiera acuminata (Eastern Swamp Privet, Swamp Forestiera, Texas Forestiera)
This species forms deciduous small trees or large, multi-stemmed shrubs that grow in swamplands and other low-lying wet areas. They are native to the southeastern and central United States. This species is an important member of swamp ecosystems, feeding wildlife and providing shelter and habitat. At maturity, these shrubs can reach up to 10-30 feet tall with a 15-25 foot wide spread. Fruits are purple-black and Olive-like.

Forestiera ligustrina (Southern Privet, Upland Swamp-Privet, Upland Forestiera, Glade Forestiera)
These shrubs are native to the southeastern United States, where they grow in woodlands and glades. Flowers bloom in mid to late summer and are followed by dark blue fruits. These plants can reach up to 3-10 feet tall at maturity, and produce green foliage. Bark is grey-brown.

Forestiera neomexicana (Mexican Privet, Desert Olive, New Mexico Privet, Stretchberry, Elbow Bush)
This species of deciduous shrubs and small trees needs full sun and moderate water to perform well in the garden. They will attract birds to the landscape with their blue-black fruits and make great screening plants. Able to be shaped into small trees, they reach about 12-18 feet tall and 12 feet wide on average, and have medium green leaves that turn bright yellow in fall's cooler temperatures. Flowers are inconspicuous.

Forestiera pubescens (Stretchberry, Desert Olive, Tanglewood, Devil's Elbow, Elbow Bush, Spring Goldenglow, Spring Herald, New Mexico Privet, Texas Forsythia)
These deciduous shrubs and small trees are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. They produce inconspicuous creamy white to light yellow flowers and green foliage. At maturity, individual plants reach up to 8-15 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.

Forestiera segregata (Florida Privet, Florida Swamp Privet, Southern Privet, Inkbush, Wild Olive)
These plants are native to the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles and South Carolina in the United States. These shrubs reach between 10 and 23 feet tall when mature. Flowers are small and greenish-yellow and leaves are green.

Caring for forestiera

The first step for caring for these trees is to pick a spot in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. These shrubs and trees flower best in full sun exposure, but can also tolerate some shade. In fact, they even appreciate some afternoon shade in the warmest climates. These large shrubs require adequate space when mature; typically they reach between 6 and 10 feet tall with an almost equal spread. When pruned into trees they can reach 15 feet tall. If planting as a hedge, privacy screen, or windbreak, make sure to leave at least 6-8 feet between plants. Swamp Privet, like its name suggests, prefers moist soils, and can tolerate wet or even soggy conditions. They can grow in a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants after installation; this will help suppress weed growth, maintain constant soil temperature, and help to maximize soil moisture retention. Apply a feeding of organic compost each year in springtime to support the years growth, flowering, and fruiting. Water new plantings regularly, ensuring that good drainage is occurring. This will allow plants to develop strong root systems and make them more resistant to drying out at maturity. Water established plantings whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

These plants naturally have a dense, bushy habit. Pruning can help to maintain a clean silhouette, and is best done in early springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. Remove any diseased, damaged, dead, or crossing branches at this time to increase airflow through the center of plants. If plants become leggy or overgrown, a hard prune can be completed in late winter or early springtime. To do a rejuvenation, cut all older stems back to the base just a few inches from the ground to encourage a large flush of new growth. These shrubs and small trees can survive for between 10 and 20 years in the garden (exceptionally 50-100 years in their native landscapes) before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Forestiera can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your tree or shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Forestiera by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Forestiera by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. They are contained inside of the blackish olive-shaped fruits produced in late summer to early fall. Harvest fruits, and then cut them open to retrieve seeds. Rinse seeds to remove any flesh that is still attached, and then leave them out to dry.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Forestiera fruits contain seeds.

There are one or two seeds per fruit, and they are typically tan to light brown in color.

Problems and Pests

Forestiera trees are typically quite resistant to pests and diseases, though they can still suffer from time to time with the following common garden issues: