Plant DetailShow Menu

Similar but less problematic plants:
Distylium Distylium
Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii' Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii'
Illicium floridanum Illicum floridanum
Osmanthus heterophyllus Osmanthus heterophyllus
Ternstroemia gymnanthera Ternstroemia gymnanthera
Native alternative(s) for Ligustrum sinense 'Variegatum':
Ilex verticillata ilex verticillata fruit and leaves
Myrica cerifera Myrica cerifera
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Ligustrum japonicum 'Recurvifolium'
Ligustrum lucidum Mature form in flower
Ligustrum sinense Ligustrum sinense
Ligustrum sinense 'Variegatum' has some common insect problems:
Whiteflies Found on Flowers and Foliage
Ligustrum Weevil
Pests of Ligustrum
White Peach Scale Insect
Ligustrum sinense 'Variegatum' has some common disease problems:
Anthracnose diseases of trees

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

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.  It is pollution and alkaline-tolerant, somewhat shade tolerant, and tolerant of poor soils.

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. 

More information on Ligustrum sinense.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#invasive#poisonous#white flowers#shrub#white leaves#yellow-green#shade garden#accent plant#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#variegated#spring interest#fantz#evergreen shrub#poor soils tolerant#green leaves#weed#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#invasive#poisonous#white flowers#shrub#white leaves#yellow-green#shade garden#accent plant#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#variegated#spring interest#fantz#evergreen shrub#poor soils tolerant#green leaves#weed#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are pubescent with gray-yellow coloration.
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Invasive Species
    Malodorous
    Problem for Dogs
    Weedy