Variegated Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense 'Variegatum'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- li-GUS-trum sy-NEN-see var-ee-GAY-tum
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Variegated Privet is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub that is 6-10' tall and wide. The best foliage will appear when planted in full sun. This plant flowers in the late spring and it's malodorous flowers are offensive to many people. It is very vigorous and grows quickly to form a dense thicket.
The plant is pollution and alkaline-tolerant, somewhat shade tolerant, and tolerant of poor soils. It will tolerate pruning, but keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on new growth.
Quick ID Hints:
- opposite leaf arrangement
- medium green in color with cream or white variegation
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whiteflies, Japanese and ligustrum weevils, white peach scale, and privet rust mites are common insect problems. Anthracnose, twig blight, cankers, powdery mildew, root rot are common disease problems. Susceptible to copper deficiency. It can be weedy in disturbed areas has escaped and naturalized in moist areas. The leaves and berries of privet can cause problems for dogs if eaten.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ligustrum
- Species:
- sinense
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are berry-like drupes that are less than an inch in size and toxic.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white, fetid, and 1/3" long. They grow on terminal panicles that are 2.5"-4" long in the spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The 1-3 inch long oval leaves are green with gray to creamy white borders. They are opposite, simple and margins are entire.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are pubescent with gray-yellow coloration.
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
- Invasive Species
- Malodorous
- Problem for Dogs
- Weedy
