Variegated Privet Ligustrum

Introduction

A cultivar of the green-leaved Ligustrum, Variegated Ligustrum is common in many landscapes in the southeastern part of the United States. Creamy-white and green foliage fills the canopy on this quick-growing shrub all year long. The thin twigs become weighted down with the foliage forming a weeping vase on unpruned specimens. Bright white flowers are borne in the spring at the ends of the new growth putting on a showy mid-to-late-spring display of flowers. Portions of the plant occasionally revert back to green foliage.

Use and Management

When maintaining this shrub as a clipped hedge, keep the top of the hedge narrower than the bottom to allow light to reach foliage near the ground. This will keep the plant full all the way to the ground. Its large size makes it best suited for maintaining it as a shrub border, not along a residential foundation.

Most soils support Ligustrum. Avoid those that remain wet for long periods.

Additional Characteristics

• Soil Moisture: Moist, well-drained
• Soil Types/Tolerance: Alkaline, acidic; sand; loam; clay
• Flowers: White, spring, unpleasant fragrance
• Uses: Container or above-ground planter; trained as a standard hedge, specimen, border, mass planting, screen
• Additional Features: Moderate growth with fine texture
• Special Resistance: Few pests bother this plant.

Planting

• Available in 1, 3 or 5 gal containers.
• Suggested plant spacing are:
• Plant 18’, 24” to 36” OC
• Bed Preparation:
• Spread 3” of bed mix in ground cover beds
• Till 6” deep, rake beds to drain away from structure
• Plant
• Topdress with 2” of double ground (fine) hardwood mulch.
• Hand water in after planting
• Set sprinkler controller to water beds:
• Once every two days for two weeks in spring and early fall.
• Once a day for two weeks when temperatures reach 98+ degrees.
• Have Owner monitor moisture and report over or under watering immediately.
• After two weeks reassess the watering needs, and set at twice a week thereafter.