Ligustrum ovalifolium

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garden privet

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Other common names

California privet, oval-leaf privet, oval-leaved privet

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Shrubs Trees
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A vigorous, upright semi-evergreen or evergreen shrub about 4m tall, with oval, glossy green leaves to 6cm long. Small white fragrant flowers in pointed dense clusters to 10cm long appear in midsummer followed by rounded shiny black fruits in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen, Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
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
Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained, or moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings or by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Hedging and screens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1; If grown as a hedge, pruning group 3. Pruning suppresses flowering. Prune two or three times during growing season. Cease pruning in late summer avoid frost damage on new growth

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, leaf mining moths and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus