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Ligustrum ovalifolium - Hassk.

Common Name Privet, California privet
Family Oleaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
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[65].
Habitats Thickets near the sea in C. and S. Japan[58].
Range E. Asia - Japan.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Ligustrum ovalifolium Privet, California privet


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Ligustrum ovalifolium Privet, California privet
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:MPF

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Ligustrum ovalifolium is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge

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[11, 29]. It can take 9 - 10 years to make a 3 metres tall hedge in exposed positions[75]. The cultivars 'Aureum' and 'Argenteum' are especially recommended[200].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not impoverished[11]. Dislikes very alkaline soils[202]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dark corners or places starved by tree roots[11, 182]. Shade tolerant, established plants also tolerate drought[200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[202]. They can be cut back to the ground in very severe winters but usually resprout from the base[200]. 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[202], though it is also very greedy, robbing the surrounding soil of more nutrients and moisture than most hedging plants[200]. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[182, 200]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed does not require any pre-treatment and can be sown in the spring in a cold frame[113]. 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[78]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in November/December. High percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku), Korea, South

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Ligustrum delavayanum Shrub3.0 6-9  LMHFSNM003
Ligustrum indicum Shrub3.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Ligustrum japonicumJapanese Privet, Japanese Ligustrum, Waxleaf Ligustrum, Texas Privet, Waxleaf PrivetShrub5.0 7-10 MLMHSNM113
Ligustrum lucidumChinese Privet, Glossy privet, White Wax Tree, Tree LigustrumShrub10.0 8-11 MLMHFSNM133
Ligustrum obtusifoliumBorder privetShrub3.0 4-7 MLMHSNM203
Ligustrum sinenseChinese PrivetShrub3.0 7-10 MLMHSNM013
Ligustrum vulgarePrivet, European privet , Common PrivetShrub3.0 4-7 MLMHSNDM013

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Hassk.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

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