Ligustrum japonicum
Japanese privet
A handsome, upright evergreen shrub or small tree, to 3m in height if grown as a shrub. The leaves are dark green, waxy and can be up to 10cm long. It bears conical sprays of small, scented, off-white flowers from mid-summer to early autumn, which are followed by lax clusters of small, round, black berries
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Alkaline, Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | White | Green | Black | |
| Winter | Green | Black |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Ligustrum can be decidous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, entire leaves and panicles of small, often unpleasantly scented white flowers in spring or summer, followed by black or deep purple berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SE China, Korea, Japan
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to leaf spot, honey fungus, virus diseases, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt
Get involved
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