Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean
Introduction
Although often used as a shrub or hedge, Japanese privet works well when allowed to grow into a small tree, its curved multiple trunks and dark green canopy creating an interesting architectural focus, 8 to 12 feet tall and often considerably wider, for the landscape. Old specimens can grow to 25 feet across. The glossy evergreen leaves are abundantly produced on the upright, spreading branches. The small, white, malodorous flowers appear in terminal panicles during spring in the south and in the summer in northern climes. The blooms are followed by abundant blue-black-purple berries which persist most of the year. The berries are popular with birds and the dispersed seeds occasionally germinate where they fall but this is usually not a nuisance.
Figure 1. Full Form - Ligustrum japonicum: Japanese privet Credit: UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Ligustrum japonicum
Pronunciation: lih-GUS-trum juh-PAWN-ih-kum
Common name(s): Japanese privet, wax-leaf privet
Family: Oleaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 10A (Figure 2)
Origin: native to Japan and eastern Asia
UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: not considered a problem species at this time, may be (North, Central, South)
Uses: deck or patio; screen; specimen; hedge; container or planter; trained as a standard; parking lot island < 100 sq ft; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; street without sidewalk; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); highway median; Bonsai
Figure 2. Range
Description
Height: 8 to 12 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: vase, round, spreading
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire, undulate
Leaf shape: ovate, oblong
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, broadleaf evergreen
Leaf blade length: 1 to 3 inches
Leaf color: dark green and glossy on top, pale green underneath
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Figure 3. Leaf - Ligustrum japonicum: Japanese privet Credit: UF/IFAS
Flower
Flower color: white/cream/gray
Flower characteristics: showy; emerges in clusters on terminal panicles
Flowering: spring
Figure 4. Flower - Ligustrum japonicum: Japanese privet Credit: UF/IFAS
Fruit
Fruit shape: oval, oblong
Fruit length: 1/4 inch
Fruit covering: fleshy drupe
Fruit color: blue, black, purple
Fruit characteristics: attracts birds; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem
Fruiting: fall
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/branches: branches droop; showy; typically multi-trunked; no thorns
Bark: gray, smooth, and covered with large lenticels
Although tolerant of tight clipping, Japanese privet is quite attractive when allowed to retain its natural multi-stemmed form, making it ideal for use in shrubbery borders and other informal settings. It makes a nice specimen in any landscape where a small dark tree is needed. Planted close together on about 10 to 15-foot centers, ligustrum will form a canopy over a pedestrian walkway but will not grow tall or wide enough for canopy closure over a street or parking lot. The tree looks best in a landscape setting with a low groundcover planted around its base.
Japanese Privet grows in full sun or partial shade and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including calcarious clay as long as water is not allowed to stand in the root zone. Plants grow quickly while young but slow with age. Although it can withstand drought, Japanese Privet is not especially salt-tolerant and will require protection from direct salt spray. If you decide to use this plant as a clipped hedge, be sure that the top is kept narrower than the bottom to provide light to the lower branches. This will help ensure the plant will remain full to the ground.
Many cultivars are available and plants grafted onto L. quihoui for protection against nematodes are preferred, when available. `Silver Star' has deep green leaves mottled with grey and edged in creamy white; `Texanum' is very similar to the species but is lower-growing and has denser growth; `Fraseri' has yellow to yellow-green new growth; `Jack Frost' has glossy green leaves with a thin edge of creamy white; `Lake Tresca' has small leaves and the lower branches droop to form a mound; `Lusterleaf' has large, thick leaves; `Suwanee River' has compact erect branches; and `Variegatum' has leaves variegated and edged with white. Ligustrum x vicaryi has golden variegated leaves, with bright yellow new growth.
Propagation is by seed or cuttings.
Pests and Diseases
None usually serious, although thrips and mites can occasionally discolor foliage. Soil nematodes can cause serious plant decline and they can be prevalent, particularly in sandy soil.
References
Koeser, A. K., Hasing, G., Friedman, M. H., and Irving, R. B. 2015. Trees: North & Central Florida. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
