Chinese privet
Ligustrum sinense · Oleaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around chinese privet and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Chinese Privet
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Form
- Shrub
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- Summer (June to August), fragrant white flowers
- Adult size
- 2 to 4 m tall, 1.5 to 3 m wide
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- -10 to -15°C
Care
Exposure
Choose a sunny to partial shade location for optimal flowering. Chinese privet tolerates partial shade well but will flower less abundantly. Avoid overly shaded areas that slow growth.
Watering
Water regularly after planting, then moderately once established. In summer, keep the soil fresh without excess moisture. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Drainage must be good to prevent root rot.
Soil
Privet adapts to most well-drained soils, including chalky ones. Soil rich in organic matter promotes growth. Avoid constantly waterlogged or overly compacted soils.
Pruning
Prune after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Light annual pruning is usually sufficient. You can also train it as a hedge by pruning regularly from a young age.
Fertilizer
Apply compost or organic fertilizer in spring to support growth. During flowering, a balanced fertilizer or one slightly high in potassium encourages blooms. Excessive feeding is unnecessary on fertile soil.
Diseases and pests
Chinese privet is generally robust. Watch for scale insects and aphids in warm climates. Good drainage and air circulation prevent fungal diseases. For infestations, soapy water spray often suffices.
Did you know?
Chinese privet has been widely used in topiary art and bonsai cultivation in Asia for centuries, where it symbolizes longevity and resilience. Its small cream-white flowers release a subtle but characteristic fragrance much appreciated in late summer, attracting pollinators in particular.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Olive treeOlea europaea
- Wild privetLigustrum vulgare
- LilacSyringa vulgaris
- Green ashFraxinus pennsylvanica
- Narrow-leaved mock privetPhillyrea angustifolia
- California privetLigustrum ovalifolium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.