Sunshine ligustrum is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that can reach a height of 15 feet. It has dark green, glossy leaves and produces clusters of small, white flowers in the spring. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. Once established, it is drought tolerant and low maintenance.
Popular name
- Glossy privet
- Common privet
- European privet
- Golden privet
- Silver privet
Common Knowledge
- Sunshine ligustrum is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that can reach up to 15 feet in height.
- It has glossy, dark green leaves that are up to 6 inches long.
- The fragrant, white flowers appear in clusters in late spring or early summer.
- The fruit is a black berry that is poisonous to humans but beloved by birds.
- Sunshine ligustrum is native to China but has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including the southern United States.
- It is often used as an ornamental plant in landscaping.
- It can also be used in hedges and as a foundation plant.
- Sunshine ligustrum is relatively drought-tolerant once it is established.
- It does best in full sun but can tolerate some shade.
- It is generally a low-maintenance plant that does not require a lot of pruning or special care.
Related plant:
Brachyglottis Sunshine
How to Grow
- For sunshine ligustrum, first step is to find a location that has full sun and well-drained soil.
- Prepare the planting area by tilling the soil to a depth of about 8 inches.
- Add a layer of organic matter to the planting area, such as compost or manure.
- Dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the root ball of the plant.
- Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is even with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill the hole with the soil, tamping it down gently as you go.
- Water the plant deeply and thoroughly.
- Mulch around the plant with an organic material, such as bark chips or straw.
- Fertilize the plant regularly, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Prune the plant as needed to shape it and control its size.
Considering the Soil
About soil condition, the Sunshine Ligustrum prefers well-drained soil, whether it is sandy, loamy, or clay. It is drought tolerant once established, and it can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. It is not picky about its soil pH, but it does prefer soil that is not too sandy.
Light requirement
Like the other ligustrum trees, the Sunshine Ligustrum loves the sun and needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. It's a fast-growing tree that can reach up to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide, so make sure you have enough space in your yard before planting one. The Sunshine Ligustrum is a popular choice for privacy hedges and makes a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Ideal Temperature
The temperature conditions that are ideal for the Sunshine Ligustrum are those that are warm and sunny. This plant does not do well in cold or shady areas. It is best to plant this shrub in an area that receives full sun.
Humidity Requirement
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. The plant cannot tolerate low humidity for a prolonged period of time. If the plant is kept in low humidity for too long, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off.
The Fertilizer
Mentioning fertilizer, this type of plant does not require a lot of fertilizer. In fact, over-fertilizing can kill the plant. The best way to ensure you are not over-fertilizing is to get a soil test before applying any fertilizer. As for the roots, they are relatively shallow so you will want to make sure they are getting enough water. If the roots are too dry, the plant will start to wilt.
Light requirement
Pruning is a great way to keep your Sunshine Ligustrum looking its best. Pruning also helps to promote new growth, which is essential for keeping your plant healthy. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. It is also a good idea to prune back any branches that are growing out of bounds.
About Propagating
Propagation of the Sunshine Ligustrum is done through rooting of semi-hardwood or softwood cuttings taken from the current season's growth. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the branches and be 4-6 inches long. The cuttings should be placed in a well-drained potting mix and kept moist until roots have formed. Once roots have formed, the plant can be transplanted into a sunny location in the garden.
Growth Speed
Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted with potted plants or in small field plots. The average rate of growth for potted plants is about 3 inches (7.6 cm) per year. In field studies, the average rate of growth is about 1 foot (30 cm) per year.
Basic Problems
Common problems for this kind of plant plants are aphids, scale, and mealybugs. These pests can be controlled with a variety of methods including horticultural oil sprays, insecticidal soap sprays, and neem oil sprays.
Tips on Growing
- Do not forget to water your ligustrum plant regularly. It needs at least 1 inch of water per week.
- Fertilize your plant every 2-3 months using a balanced fertilizer.
- Place your ligustrum plant in a sunny location. It needs at least 4-6 hours of sun per day.
- Prune your plant regularly to keep it looking its best.
- You can propagate ligustrum plants by taking stem cuttings.
- Watch for pests and diseases. Common problems include aphids, scale, and leaf spot.
- Harvest the leaves of your plant when they are young and tender.
- You can use the leaves in salads or cook them like spinach.
- The flowers of ligustrum plants are also edible.
- Ligustrum plants are generally low maintenance and easy to grow.
Related Plants
- Blue Sunshine: The blue sunshine is also known as Mexican bluebell. The botanical name of this plant is Hintonia latiflora and it is a flowering plant belonging to the coffee family.
- Sunshine Daydream: The sunshine daydream is another name of the plant, hieracium Aurantiacum or yellow hawkweed. The plant is a herbaceous plant belonging to the aster family.
- Sunshine Mix: The sunshine mix is a popular yellow marigold. The name was given because of its ability to produce a yellow color in the flower.
- Sunshine Plant: The sunshine plant is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the legume family. The scientific name of this plant is Sophora flavescens.
- Sunshine Sage: The sunshine sage is another name of the plant, Salvia fulgens. The plant is a herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family.
- Sunshine Verbena
Source:
Ligustrum japonicum | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University
Louisiana Plant ID | Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet) - LSU
Privet (Ligustrum) and Hedges - uaex.uada.edu
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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