Ligustrum ovalifolium

 

  California Privet

  Family: Oleaceae

  Origin: Native to Japan

Hardiness: Hardy to 0 degrees
Growth: Rapid growth to 15 feet; can be sheared much lower as hedge
Form: Upright form; tallest plants only 6 feet wide
Leaves: Dark green; oval; 1-2.5 inches; deciduous in most areas
Flowers: Flowers are not significant for landscape purposes
Fruit or Seeds: Small black fruit in late summer and fall
Exposure: Grows most dense in full sun; does well in hot areas
Water: Deep water at least monthly in the summer
Soil: Well drained; any texture
Fertilizer: NPK in spring and fall
Prune: Usually sheared as a hedge; can be pruned as informal screen
Problems: Scale insects

The variety 'Aureum' has leaves with yellow margins. This is an old fashioned hedging plant, once very popular in California. Needs frequent pruning to keep it from growing too tall to manage easily.

See also Ligustrum japonicum and Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum'.

© 1998 by Jim Clatfelter.         Go to Garden California Home Page

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page