Ligustrum ovalifolium
Privet
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ligustrum genus in the family Oleaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[8].
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[1][6]. It can take 9 - 10 years to make a 3 metres tall hedge in exposed positions[9]. The cultivars 'Aureum' and 'Argenteum' are especially recommended[4].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Thickets near the sea in C. and S. Japan[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame[2]. 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, July/August in a frame. Very easy[10]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December. High percentage[10].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished[1]. Dislikes very alkaline soils[5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dark corners or places starved by tree roots[1][3]. Shade tolerant, established plants also tolerate drought[4]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[5]. They can be cut back to the ground in very severe winters but usually resprout from the base[4]. 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[5], though it is also very greedy, robbing the surrounding soil of more nutrients and moisture than most hedging plants[4]. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[3][4]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[4].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00