Privet, California privet
Ligustrum ovalifolium
Family: Oleaceae
What it is like
Ligustrum ovalifolium is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
Thickets near the sea in C. and S. Japan.
E. Asia - Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
A very good hedge plant, succeeding in maritime exposure and in many difficult situations. Very amenable to heavy trimming but fairly slow growing, especially when in an exposed position. It can take 9 - 10 years to make a 3 metres tall hedge in exposed positions. The cultivars 'Aureum' and 'Argenteum' are especially recommended.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished. Dislikes very alkaline soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dark corners or places starved by tree roots. Shade tolerant, established plants also tolerate drought. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. They can be cut back to the ground in very severe winters but usually resprout from the base. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters, when grown in poor soils, near the coast or in an exposed position. A moderately fast-growing plant, though it is also very greedy, robbing the surrounding soil of more nutrients and moisture than most hedging plants. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagating it: The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Very easy. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December. High percentage.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, at least one member of this genus is recorded as being mildly toxic and it is quite possible that other members of the genus also contain toxins.