Ligustrum
( lih - GUST - rum )
At-A-Glance Information
Ligustrum, commonly known as Privet, is a genus of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous flowering shrubs that need full sun to partial shade and regular water. The flowers will attract bees and the berries will attract birds to your garden. Take care when planting this shrub in your garden as the leaves and fruits can cause stomach issues if ingested by humans or pets. These shrubs are widely used as hedges, although one species makes a great street tree. Late summer brings creamy white flowers, and after these fade dark berries appear.
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Ligustrum Species and Varietals
The genus Ligustrum includes about 50 distinct species, and is a member of the plant family Oleaceae. The best growing zones for Privet depend on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet, Wax-Leaf Privet)
This evergreen shrub grows well in zones 4-24, H1 and H2 and is native to Japan, Korea, and China. Grows to 10-12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, and has a dense habit. Leaves are glossy and green on top and pale underneath. This species is wonderful as a privacy hedge and can also be used as a topiary subject. A few choice varieties are outlined below.
This evergreen shrub grows well in zones 4-24, H1 and H2 and is native to Japan, Korea, and China. Grows to 10-12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, and has a dense habit. Leaves are glossy and green on top and pale underneath. This species is wonderful as a privacy hedge and can also be used as a topiary subject. A few choice varieties are outlined below.
Ligustrum japonicum 'Nobilis'
This columnar selection grows to 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Makes a great, compact tree. |
Ligustrum japonicum 'Recurvifolium'
This variety has wavy leaves that twist at the tips, and has a somewhat open growth habit. Smaller than most in the species. |
Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium'
This variety reaches 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with nearly round leaves. It will need partial shade in warmer climates. |
Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy Privet) This species takes the form of an evergreen tree, reaching 20-40 feet tall and just as wide. It grows best in zones 5-24, H1 and H2 and is native to China, Japan, and Korea. Leaves are glossy and green and flowers bloom in very large clusters late spring to early summer. Can be used as a lawn tree, or, if planted about 10 feet apart, a large-scale privacy screen or windbreak. The downside is that the profuse crop of berries produced by this tree do stain sidewalks and cars. They also spread rapidly via bird activity and volunteers will need to be pulled up. |
Ligustrum ovalifolium (California Privet) This shrub is evergreen in warm-winter climates, and in all others is semi-evergreen. It is native to Japan and grows best in zones 3b-24, H1 and H2. The shrub has dark green leaves and grows to 8-15 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. It makes a great sheared hedge, though it has greedy roots so do not plant it too close to its neighbors. It can tolerate some heat. 'Aureum' (also called Golden Privet and also sold as 'Variegatum') has yellow-edged leaves. |
Ligustrum vulgare (Common Privet, Wild Privet) This species of Privet is deciduous and grows best in zones 4-24 and H1. It is native to the northern areas of Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia Minor. It reaches 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide, and has dark green leaves. Its roots are not as greedy as others in the genus, and it has showy clusters of black fruit. Variety 'Lodense' has a dwarf habit; it only reaches 4 feet tall and wide at maturity. |
Caring for and pruning Ligustrum shrubs
Privet shrubs should be planted in full sun to partial shade in soil that is well-draining. Amend soil with plenty of organic material before planting. If you are growing these shrubs as screening plants or are creating a hedge with them, be mindful of spacing. Although these plants may start small, they will quickly fill their allotted space and grow to their full size, possibly choking out other nearby plants. Water new plantings regularly to help them establish a strong root system. Once mature, these shrubs are considered drought-tolerant, but will need occasional waterings during dry spells. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to increase soil water retention.
Prune these shrubs regularly to maintain the shape and size that you desire. These shrubs can be sheared regularly to create a formal-looking hedge, or left to their own devices, where they will take on an upright look. Spring is the best time to prune these garden staples; remove dead or damaged branches as well as prune to shape and size. A light summer pruning can also be carried out if need be. If a rejuvenation pruning is needed, take action in late winter to early springtime, cutting the entire shrub back to between 6 and 12 inches from the ground. New growth will emerge from the base. In springtime, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the base of the plant to support new growth.
Prune these shrubs regularly to maintain the shape and size that you desire. These shrubs can be sheared regularly to create a formal-looking hedge, or left to their own devices, where they will take on an upright look. Spring is the best time to prune these garden staples; remove dead or damaged branches as well as prune to shape and size. A light summer pruning can also be carried out if need be. If a rejuvenation pruning is needed, take action in late winter to early springtime, cutting the entire shrub back to between 6 and 12 inches from the ground. New growth will emerge from the base. In springtime, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the base of the plant to support new growth.
Propagation
Ligustrum 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 shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Ligustrum by Cutting
Propagating Ligustrum by Seed
Propagating Ligustrum 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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- 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 Ligustrum 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 fine mesh strainer, a sealable bag filled with peat moss, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seeds are contained within the fruits on the plant. Cut the fruit open once it has started to prune up, and remove the seeds from the fruit. Once they have been released, give them a rinse in a fine mesh strainer and place them aside.
- Ligustrum seeds need to be cold-stratified before being able to germinate. Place the seeds for three to six months in a fridge, stored in a plastic bag filled with moist peat moss. After they have been cooled, remove the seeds from the peat moss and set them aside.
- 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 around 60 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.
Problems and Pests
Privet shrubs are susceptible to the following pests and diseases:
- Aphids
- Scale Insects
- Fungal Diseases
Gallery
Videos
How to hedge a Ligustrum shrub.
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A video about Privet as an invasive species.
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All about Ligustrum japonicum shrubs.
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All about these commonly grown shrubs.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 411 - 412, Ligustrum
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