Japanese Privet – Ligustrum japonicum
Japanese Privet, also called Ligustrum japonicum or Large-leaved Privet, is an evergreen shrub native to East Asia, valued for its glossy foliage, melliferous flowers, and resistance to repeated pruning. Widely used in hedges, it can also be grown as a bonsai or as a solitary specimen in ornamental gardens.
This perennial shrub can reach 3 to 5 meters in height. Very hardy, it tolerates severe pruning as well as urban pollution, making it an excellent choice for city gardens.
Growing tips:
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🌱 Sowing: in spring or autumn, after a cold stratification of 2 to 3 months. Sow in a seed tray or pot, under a bright shelter. Germination can be slow.
Seeds need cold to germinate well.
Watering should be regular at the beginning of growth, then more spaced out once the plant is established.
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🌿 Perennial: yes, evergreen shrub.
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❄️ Stratification required: yes, 2-3 months cold (refrigerator or sheltered outdoors).
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☀️ Exposure: sun to partial shade.
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🌍 Soil: light, well-drained, neutral to calcareous.
Uses:
Perfect for creating dense, easy-to-prune, and very hardy hedges. Appreciated as a bonsai for its compact foliage. Attracts bees in spring. The black fruits are decorative but not edible. Japanese Privet is mainly used for ornamental purposes: as an evergreen hedge, a green screen, or pruned into a ball or cone shape. Its dense leaves make it a favored shelter for birds.
Possible associations:
To be paired with other evergreen hedges such as viburnum tinus, photinia, or boxwood. Can also be combined with flowering perennials to create a contrast of textures. Can be associated with other melliferous hedges like elderberry, eleagnus, or dogwood.
Symbolism:
Privet is often associated with protection, the boundary between worlds, and resilience, due to its use as a hedge and its ability to vigorously regrow after pruning.
Common names:
Japanese Privet, Ligustrum japonicum, Large-leaved Privet.
Commitment to quality:
At SemiSauvage - Permaculture, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality reproducible seeds. Our seeds are carefully selected, sorted, and packaged without any chemical treatment.
Sale reserved for amateur gardeners seeking quality and authenticity.
