Ligustrum

The genus Privet (Ligustrum) unites more than 40 deciduous and evergreen shrubs and low trees. The characteristic white flowers are collected in apical paniculate or racemose aromatic inflorescences. Fruits are berry-shaped seeds with 1-4 seeds. Leaves are simple, opposite, short-petiolate. Most often, common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is grown - a shrub 2-3 m high, erect or recumbent, depending on the variety, sometimes it is grown as a tree. Simple leathery leaves are oval at the base of the branches, and lanceolate and more elongated at the ends of the shoots. In the period from May to July, white flowers gathered in panicles bloom. In their place, berries are formed, which, when ripe, turn black and stay on the plants for a long time. Japanese privet (L. japonicum) is native to Japan and Korea. An upright evergreen shrub with characteristic glossy dark green oval leaves and white tubular flowers in panicles. Light privet (L. lucidum), native to the Far East (China, Korea, Japan), is an evergreen shrub. The leaves are dark green glossy oval. White-cream tubular flowers bloom in August-September. Round-leaved privet (L. ovalifolium) originated from Japan. In the temperate climatic zone it is an evergreen shrub, in colder areas it is semi-evergreen (that is, partially losing its foliage) with oval glossy leaves and tubular flowers. Widespread varieties are 'Gilt-edged' - leaves with a yellow edge, more compact compared to the original botanical species, and 'Variegated', whose leaf edge is light yellow or white-cream.

The genus Privet (Ligustrum) unites more than 40 deciduous and evergreen shrubs and low trees. The characteristic white flowers are collected in apical paniculate or racemose aromatic inflorescences. Fruits are berry-shaped seeds with 1-4 seeds. Leaves are simple, opposite, short-petiolate.

Most often, common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is grown - a shrub 2-3 m high, erect or recumbent, depending on the variety, sometimes it is grown as a tree. Simple leathery leaves are oval at the base of the branches, and lanceolate and more elongated at the ends of the shoots. In the period from May to July, white flowers gathered in panicles bloom. In their place, berries are formed, which, when ripe, turn black and stay on the plants for a long time.

Japanese privet (L. japonicum) is native to Japan and Korea. An upright evergreen shrub with characteristic glossy dark green oval leaves and white tubular flowers in panicles.

Light privet (L. lucidum), native to the Far East (China, Korea, Japan), is an evergreen shrub. The leaves are dark green glossy oval. White-cream tubular flowers bloom in August-September.

Round-leaved privet (L. ovalifolium) originated from Japan. In the temperate climatic zone it is an evergreen shrub, in colder areas it is semi-evergreen (that is, partially losing its foliage) with oval glossy leaves and tubular flowers.

Widespread varieties are 'Gilt-edged' - leaves with a yellow edge, more compact compared to the original botanical species, and 'Variegated', whose leaf edge is light yellow or white-cream.

Cultivation

Privet is widely used in parks and gardens as a plant for hedges. It tolerates environmental pollution, sea salt deposits and winds well. Less commonly, it is planted in containers on balconies and terraces. Common privet is also used to secure slopes. Privet is planted in a permanent place, depending on the climate, from October to March. However, in more severe conditions, it is advisable to plant the plants in the fall. Privet can grow on any soil, although it prefers fertile, rich in organic matter, therefore organic fertilizers must be applied to the depleted soil.

Location

Both sunny and shaded locations work well.

Temperature

Usually privet is a hardy plant that adapts well to any climate.

Watering

Only required for young plants immediately after transplanting to their permanent planting site.

Transplant

Transplanting single specimens into a new pot is carried out in the spring, and only if you cannot do without it (the roots fill all the free space in the pot).

Care

Remove dry and loose branches. Pruning is necessary only in the first years of life - to maintain the branching of the plant in the lower part, and also to give the plant a special shape.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, root suckers; in culture - by layering and cuttings (lignified - in the ground and green - under glass). The best way is grafting. In September-October, cuttings are cut to a length of about 10-15 cm. The length of the cuttings for round-leaved privet should be about 30 cm. The cuttings are rooted in a mixture of sand and peat in equal proportions and placed in a protected, cool place. After rooting the next spring, the seedlings are transplanted to a sheltered place for a year. The seedlings are planted in a permanent place in October and later. With the final planting, you can wait another year, then you get stronger specimens.

Diseases

Usually privet is a fairly resistant plant, but it is also damaged by individual pests. Worms infect young shoots; in such cases, the plants are treated with anticoccidal drugs. Caterpillars of some butterflies (especially Sphinx ligustri) eat the leaves - insecticide treatment is needed. The plant can be parasitized by fungi; due to honey fungus (Armillaria mellea), the plant becomes incurably ill - the roots rot. On privet one can observe wood smut - defeat by tinder fungus (Ganoderma). Powdery mildew (Micosphera alni) may appear on the leaves. All of these fungi are disposed of with the appropriate fungicides. Agrobacterium tumefaciens can cause growths on the roots (bacterial root cancer). The development of the disease can be stopped by using drugs based on copper.

Usually privet is a fairly resistant plant, but it is also damaged by individual pests. Worms infect young shoots; in such cases, the plants are treated with anticoccidal drugs. Caterpillars of some butterflies (especially Sphinx ligustri) eat the leaves - insecticide treatment is needed.

The plant can be parasitized by fungi; due to honey fungus (Armillaria mellea), the plant becomes incurably ill - the roots rot. On privet one can observe wood smut - defeat by tinder fungus (Ganoderma). Powdery mildew (Micosphera alni) may appear on the leaves. All of these fungi are disposed of with the appropriate fungicides. Agrobacterium tumefaciens can cause growths on the roots (bacterial root cancer). The development of the disease can be stopped by using drugs based on copper.

Acquisition

Privet is easy to find in nurseries and horticultural centers that offer an expanded range of crops. Purchase seedlings in containers, and they can be planted in a permanent place almost all year round.