Common Name: Privet

General Information

Ligustrum ovalifolium is a much-branched shrub that can grow around 3 - 5 metres tall, often forming thickets. Evergreen in mild winters, the plant will often shed most or all of its leaves in cold winters[].
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it is commonly used to make a hedge.
Ligustrum ovalifolium is commonly cultivated as a garden plant and has become naturalised in a wide range of countries. It is considered invasive in the US. Given the assumed wide native range, ease of regeneration and lack of known threats this species is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[].

Known Hazards

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[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Japan, southern Korea.

Habitat

Thickets near the sea in central and southern Japan[]. Temperate woodlands[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Butterflies, Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[].
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 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[, ].
The panicles of white flowers are very fragrant, but are considered by many to have an unpleasant aroma[].
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

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[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in late autumn. High percentage[].