Ligustrum JAPONICUM

Ligustrum JAPONICUM - Japanese privet, Ligustrum japonicum.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Ligustrum is a large shrub or small tree belonging to the family Oleaceae. The genus consists of about 50 species and originates from the Himalayas, Japan, China, and Taiwan. Individual species are distributed in Europe, Australia, Asia, and North America.

Ligustrum can be deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen. It is widely known by the common name privet and often used in outdoor landscaping. Under natural conditions, the bushes can reach up to 5 m (16.4 ft) in height. Its leaves are oblong, pointed, dense, usually colored dark green, with only a few species having lighter or yellowish leaves. For two months starting in June, it blooms with white flowers gathered in panicles or racemes.

After flowering, in early autumn, fruits form. They have a dark burgundy or blue-black hue. They ornament the plant's branches beautifully. The fruits contain 1-4 seeds. They represent a berry-like drupe. The fruits are black shiny berries, inedible.

By cuttings and by seeds. Cuttings are rooted in a mini-greenhouse at a temperature of 20-22 °C (68-72 °F). Seeds are soaked in warm water for 4-6 hours before sowing. They are sown into a peat-sand, well-draining mixture and germinated under glass in a warm place with high humidity at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). In the stage of two true leaves, they are picked out into individual pots.

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Most species overwinter without cover in temperate conditions and are widely used for outdoor landscaping. In pot culture, evergreen species are grown, most often trained as bonsai; they are undemanding with regard to light and can tolerate slight shading. Indoors, ligustrum is kept on a north-facing window. It handles heat well; cool wintering is desirable at 8-12 °C (46-54 °F). In summer, it thrives outdoors in a shady spot. It tolerates brief drying out well. In winter in cool rooms (10-12 °C / 50-54 °F) it retains its leaves, which it may sometimes shed in a warm room.

In soil culture, it grows in a mix of sod, humus, and leaf soil with sand (4:2:1:1). It grows well in hydroponic and ion-exchange substrates. Repotting is done annually into a larger pot; mature specimens less frequently. A standard-shaped pot and all-purpose soil will suffice; good drainage is necessary. Feed in spring and summer once or twice a month with balanced all-purpose fertilizers.

In summer, water abundantly without allowing the root ball to dry out. Daily watering may be needed in summer. In winter, moistening is reduced, allowing the top soil layer to dry out. From time to time, ligustrum is misted, taking care that moisture does not land on the flowers. It blooms in summer and early autumn with fragrant flowers. It responds very well to pruning and can be trained as a bonsai.