Glossy Privet

(Ligustrum lucidum)

Glossy Privet (Ligustrum lucidum)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Ligustrum lucidum, commonly known as Glossy Privet, is an evergreen tree or large shrub native to open woodlands and forest edges in China and Korea. It can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) tall and equally broad, with a dense, rounded canopy. The leaves are glossy, leathery, and dark green, adding to its ornamental value. Its white or near-white flowers, borne in large panicles, bloom in late summer and are highly fragrant, though some may find the scent unpleasant. The flowers are followed by small, purple-black berries that are attractive to birds but can be messy if trees are planted near walkways. Glossy Privet is valued for its robust growth, ability to form dense hedges, and its use as a privacy screen or windbreak. It is also popular for topiary and urban plantings due to its tolerance of pollution and poor soils.

Glossy Privet thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, from slow to fast drainage, preferring low to medium water once established. Regular pruning is necessary to maintain a tidy hedge form and to prevent it from becoming too large. However, it is important to note that Ligustrum lucidum is considered invasive in many regions outside its native range, where it can outcompete native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems. Gardeners should be cautious and check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
  • Height: 12-20 feet
  • Width: 12-20 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Cream, White
  • Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Low, Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hedges, Hummingbird Garden, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands and forest edges

Other Names

Common Names: Chinese Wax-Leaf Privet , Ligustrum , White Waxtree , Tree Privet , Giant Privet , Large-Leaf Privet , Chinese Privet , Broad-Leaf Privet , Chinese Liguster , Ligustro

Scientific Names: Ligustrum lucidum , Ligustrum lucidum f. lucidum , Ligustrum lucidum f. latifolium , Visiania paniculata , Ligustrum roxburghii , Olea clavata , Ligustrum hookeri , Ligustrum japonicum var. macrophyllum , Ligustrum lucidum var. tricolor , Phillyrea paniculata

GBIF Accepted Name: Ligustrum lucidum W.T.Aiton