Ligustrum lucidum
Chinese privet
A small evergreen tree with broadly oval, glossy leaves to 15cm in length, and small, creamy-white flowers in panicles to 15cm in length in summer and early autumn. Fruit a small black berry, seldom formed
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | White | Green | Black | |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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
- S & E China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 1 in summer
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, leaf miners and thrips
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
Get involved
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