Ligustrum lucidum (Chinese privet)

Other names: White wax tree, Chinese wax tree, Glossy privet, Shining-leaved privet

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Species

L. lucidum is a vigorous, domed, evergeen tree with large leaves and a profusion of white fluffy flowers in summer and autumn.

Season of interest

Flower
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Flower
Foliage
	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Foliage

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Height and spread Metric \| Imperial
Size	Max height	Max spread	To maturity
12 m	12 m	20-50 years
39 ft	39 ft	20-50 years

Height and spread

Metric |
Imperial

Size

Max height

Max spread

To maturity

12 m

20-50 years

39 ft

20-50 years

Where to grow

Soil

Soil type

Chalky
Loamy
Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid
Alkaline
Neutral

Conditions

Sunlight

Partial Shade
Full Sun

Aspect

East
West
South

Exposure

Exposed
Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grows well in any moist but well-drained or well-drained in sun or partial shade. Needs shelter in cold areas. Suitable for hedging. Classified as an invasive species in some non-native areas.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Low
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Moderate/Medium
Low Desert = Moderate/Medium

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Bushy, Rounded, Dense

Native to

China, Korea, Japan

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

Fragrance

Some may find the scent of the flowers unpleasant

Toxicity

All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested.

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Hedge pruning group 2 if grown as a hedge. Trim new growth back by 15cm every time it has grown approx. 30cm. Stop pruning in late summer avoid frost damage on new growth.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings

Pests

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Monthly care advice

Prune when winter planting and then again in second year (optional)

Annual trimming (optional)

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Take hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (24)

Ligustrum

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Ligustrum (any hardy shrub variety) Privet (any hardy shrub variety)

Ligustrum ovalifolium Oval-leaf privet

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Argenteum' Silver privet

Ligustrum jonandrum Privit tree

Ligustrum japonicum Japanese privet

Ligustrum lucidum Chinese privet

Ligustrum lucidum 'Excelsum Superbum' Chinese privet 'Excelsum Superbum'

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' Golden privet

Ligustrum vulgare Wild privet

Ligustrum delavayanum Delavay privet

Ligustrum japonicum 'Coriaceum' Dwarf curly leaf ligustrum

Ligustrum quihoui Waxyleaf privet

Ligustrum lucidum 'Variegatum' Chinese privet 'Variegatum'

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Vicaryi' Oval-leaf privet 'Vicaryi'

Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine' Chinese privet 'Sunshine'

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Lemon and Lime' California privet 'Lemon and Lime'

Ligustrum ibota 'Musli' Ibota privet 'Musli'

Ligustrum amurense Amur privet

Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' Japanese privet 'Texanum'

Ligustrum japonicum 'Silver Star' Japanese privet 'Silver Star'

Ligustrum vulgare 'Atrovirens' Wild privet 'Atrovirens'

Ligustrum undulatum 'Lemon Lime and Clippers' New Guinea privet 'Lemon Lime and Clippers'

Ligustrum japonicum 'Variegatum' Japanese privet 'Variegatum'

Ligustrum vulgare 'Straight Talk' Wild privet 'Straight Talk'

Related content

Hallo Katy,

Thanks for your reply & suggestions. I ought to have mentioned that this is for my brother's garden and that he is in a fairly desperate situation regarding neighbours who are about to demolish their house (which is attached to my brother's) and build a much higher detached house which will overlap his by 5 metres, casting it in shade; and this will be only two metres from his fence. So he wants instant height. He has already bought the privet which is about 2m tall. I thought bamboo (Phyllostachys bissetii) would be better than the Leylandii he, in his desperation, almost went for. Less than 3ft per season growth would be no use as he will need at least a 10ft high screen. I was thinking in terms of a mixed planting because a uniform hedge would completely ruin the present design of the garden; either way the garden will loose its pleasant openness.

Paul

Posted: Sunday 28th of February 2010 01:56 PM Last reply: Sunday 28th of February 2010 01:56 PM

Ligustrum lucidum

Valerie Munro

1023 0

Hi Paul,

I agree with all of Katy's suggestions for plants that are famous for withstanding seaside conditions. The northerly winds sound pretty hostile, but in fact it is the salt that does the damage.

All of Katy's plants have extremely thick and leathery leaves. For added interest and colour, you could also mix in some more seasonal plants:

- Rosa rugosa
- sea buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides
- and good old Fuchsia magellanica.

these will give you interesting flowers and autumn berries into the bargain.

Good luck!
Auntie Planty

Posted: Sunday 28th of February 2010 01:14 PM Last reply: Sunday 28th of February 2010 01:14 PM

Ligustrum lucidum

Shoot User

1023 1

Hi Paul,

Ligustrum lucidum is a fast growing plant which is fully hardy, although not particularly known for being suitable for exposed coastal gardens.

You may get away with it, however I would be more inclined to play it safe and go for a plant known for it's tolerance of coastal conditions. From what you say I get the impression you wish to grow this as hedging? Some alternative suggestions which are happy in windswept, salty locations are:

- Olearia haasti
- Berberis
- Escallonia
- Griselinia littoralis

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get on!

Katy

Posted: Saturday 27th of February 2010 07:17 PM Last reply: Saturday 27th of February 2010 07:17 PM

Ligustrum lucidum

Paul Lanzon

1023 2

I should like to find out what the annual growth rate of this plant is and whether it would survive in a north-facing coastal garden; it would be planted against a west-facing fence. The garden is very exposed to cold northerly winds coming directly off the sea.

Posted: Thursday 25th of February 2010 01:31 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 01:10 AM