Reference

Chinese Privet / Ligustrum sinensis

Ligustrum sinensis - a variegated form.
Two mature shrubs were already here in the back courtyard.

With a lot of rain, new irrigation lines, and removal of the crowding Spanish broom the year before, the shrub by the back fence has grown huge in 2022.

August 18, 2022

June 12. 2021 -- in full bloom, a little strong smelling

June 10, 2021

Love the view down the walk, with the privet flanking the blue door. October 13, 2020

In 2020 I noticed the shrub by the door has several branches that are reverting, losing the variegation and producing larger leaves.

October 14, 2020 - some foliage is reverting

I need to cut those branches off, but it will leave big gaps in the rounded form.

In winter 2020 I did quite a bit of pruning for shape. They looked good and bloomed in early June -- a little stinky but not bad. The one by the garage door continues to have a nice shape since I limbed it up when we first got here. I can how much fuller it is now than it was just two years ago -- water and pruning!

June 12, 2020

In the very cold winter of 2018 -2019 these zone 7 shrubs got pretty badly defoliated and winterburned. One looked terrible, but they both came back in late spring and filled back out and look fantastic.

Flowering June 15, 2019 -- they stink in bloom!


June 22, 2019 -- blooming for a long time


June 16, 2019

Winter damage in early April 2019

July 7, 2018

April 9, 2018

These are reported to be invasive in the southeast. They are fast growers and used for privacy hedging. They are supposed to have smelly white panicle flowers and prolific, persistent fruits. The variegated form flowers and fruits much less (or not at all?) I haven't seen any evidence of persistent fruits on either plant.

These shrubs are hardy to zone 7, but apparently they do well here, where winters recently have been mild, and rarely below 10 degrees.

April 9, 2018 - limbed up

I like these two shrubs a lot. I limbed one up and love it as a focal point when seen from the deck. The other is full and starburst shaped. They are evergreen, and a welcome, fresh looking sight all winter.

April 9, 2018