Ligustrum

Family. Oleaceae. 

Origin. Native to China and East Asia.

Description. Ligustrum is a very unpretentious, versatile shrub or small tree that is easy to grow. It can be used for bonsai compositions.

The leaves are dense, broadly oval, glossy, simple, whole, dark green, up to 15 cm long, arranged oppositely, on short petioles. The lower surface of the leaf blades is often painted in a lighter shade.

Variegated varieties with white or yellow spots on the leaves require more intense lighting.

The plant blooms with creamy-white fragrant flowers, collected in panicles up to 15 cm long, in summer and early autumn. Flowering is spectacular and abundant, at this time many shrubs emit a slightly sharp, but generally pleasant aroma.

The fruits are small blue-black berries that appear in the fall and remain on the branches during the winter months. Birds readily peck the berries and thus spread privet in natural conditions.

Interestingly, members of the genus can be either deciduous or evergreen. In addition, some species behave as evergreens when grown in mild climates, but may lose their leaves when frost sets in.

Height. In natural conditions it can reach 9 meters in height and is widely used as a large landscape species.

When grown indoors, the height is very easy to control with formative pruning.

Currently, breeders have developed varieties whose height does not exceed 60-100 cm even without pruning.

Privet grows quickly - its shoots can increase in height up to 60 cm per season.

Planting and care

Growing in open ground

For growing, choose a well-lit place.

Planting of seedlings is carried out either in spring or autumn, and only those specimens that have reached a height of 50 - 60 cm are suitable for planting. If you bought a bush with a closed root system in a flower shop, then it can be planted at any time from spring to autumn.

The planting hole is prepared in such a way that it is larger than the root system by about 30 cm in depth and on the sides.

For better drainage of moisture, it is advisable to put a drainage layer in the form of broken brick or expanded clay on the bottom of the hole. The thickness of the drainage layer can be up to 20 cm.

Before planting, overly acidic soil is thoroughly watered with lime solution, and either granules of complex mineral fertilizer are placed on the bottom of the planting hole, or the soil is enriched with organic matter in the form of humus or well-rotted manure.

After all these manipulations, water the hole generously with warm water.

The root system is placed in the center of the planting hole and sprinkled with earth on all sides, carefully tamping it to remove air pockets.

After planting, the bush is watered generously again, and the base is mulched with sawdust or straw. Mulch will help maintain high soil moisture, preventing moisture evaporation, and will also delay the development of weeds.

At first, for about 2 weeks after planting, it is necessary to maintain uniformly high soil moisture.

When grown as a hedge, plants are planted at a distance of 60-80 cm.

Two weeks after planting, when the bushes adapt to new conditions, their shoots can be shortened by about 2/3 of their length to ultimately obtain a denser crown.

During all summer months (approximately once every 25-35 days), overly long young branches are also trimmed by 10 cm for each pruning. As a result of such manipulations, strong and very dense bushes can be obtained in 2-3 years.

In the second year of cultivation, the main, old stems are also radically cut - by about half the length, and the lateral shoots are shortened to a length of 5-7 cm.

Of course, in addition to formative pruning, sanitary pruning will also be necessary, which is carried out in the second half of spring, when it becomes clear which shoots have been damaged by frost or strong wind.

Further care for planted bushes consists of timely watering, fertilizing, weeding and pruning.

Adult specimens that have already successfully taken root in their place will withstand fairly long periods of drought.

Ligustrum is always watered abundantly, using about 20-30 liters of water at a time for each adult bush. Thus, you can water 4-5 times during the year.

Old bushes can always be rejuvenated. It should be remembered that before such a radical procedure they will need special care - during the entire period from spring to autumn, you need to regularly water and feed so that the flower gains strength.

For rejuvenation, all branches are cut at a height of 15-20 cm from the ground level.

Before the onset of frost, some varieties will need additional insulation.

The root system is covered with a good layer of mulch, and the stems are bent as much as possible to the ground and covered with spruce branches, fallen leaves or non-woven material. A layer of snow is also placed on top of such a shelter.

You can plant ligustrum in open ground with seeds.

The seeds are sown in the fall so that they do not have time to germinate before the onset of frost. Thus, the planting material will also undergo pre-sowing cold stratification.

Plants obtained from self-collected seeds may not inherit all the varietal attractiveness of their parents, so seed propagation is mainly used by flower farms to breed new varieties.

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Ligustrum reproduces well by seeds.

Only freshly harvested seeds will have good germination; over time, germination will decrease significantly.

For sowing, you can use seeds collected from bushes yourself.

Harvesting is carried out only from the largest and fully ripened berries.

Future planting material is removed from the fruit and thoroughly washed in running water to remove the pulp. Next, the seeds are dried in a well-ventilated and warm room. 

To check germination, seeds are soaked in warm water and any that float are removed.

When grown indoors, the seeds will need to be pre- cold stratified in a cool place such as a refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks before sowing.

To do this, the seeds are mixed with a small amount of soil in the form of a mixture of peat and sand and placed in a container in the vegetable compartment. 

The first flowers and fruits can be seen on plants obtained from seeds only after 6 years. 

Propagation by cuttings is possible in spring and summer, and with careful care and suitable conditions, this method is almost 100 percent successful.

1. Stem cuttings are separated after flowering using a sharp sterile knife.
2. The length of the cuttings should be about 12 - 15 cm; before planting, the lower leaves are removed from them and the bases are dusted with growth hormones.
3. Loose and moist nutritious soil is suitable for rooting - for example, a mixture of peat with sand or perlite.
4. Immerse the cuttings approximately 5-6 cm into a well-moistened substrate and place them at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the soil surface.
5. The shoots are covered with a transparent plastic cap or glass to maintain uniform humidity and placed in a warm (temperature 20 - 25°C), well-lit place without direct sunlight.
6. The cover is removed daily for a few minutes to remove condensation that has formed on its surface. 
7. The soil is constantly moistened with a fine spray bottle.

The successful completion of the rooting process will be indicated by the appearance of signs of new growth - young leaves or shoots - this happens within 2-3 weeks after planting.

The shelter is removed as soon as the cuttings begin to grow.

Bushes obtained from cuttings will form a root system over a fairly long period, so for the winter such specimens are taken indoors during the first 1 - 2 years of life.

With the help of air layering,  you can get several new bushes at once with minimal losses for the mother plant.

1. For this method of propagation, stems that are low to the ground are chosen.
2. The bark of the shoots is lightly cut (or even the bark is simply scratched deeply) and pinned to the soil.
3. The layer is lightly sprinkled with soil and covered with a small layer of sphagnum moss. The top of the branch should be above the ground surface.
4. Remember that the cuttings should always be in a humid environment, so the soil around it is regularly moistened.
5. After some time, new shoots will appear at the cut site.

The cuttings are separated from the mother plant after about a year.

Layers can be successfully rooted without completely separating them from the mother bush.

1. In order to form roots on an adult, strong branch, it is necessary to make several shallow cuts on its surface.
2. The incised area is wrapped in a layer of well-moistened sphagnum moss and covered tightly on top with plastic wrap.
3. The film is firmly fixed on the surface of the stem using adhesive tape or tape.
4. With the appearance of new, young shoots, after 2 - 2.5 months, such layering is separated completely and planted in its own pot.

Mature ligustrum bushes often form basal suckers around themselves, which are separated as soon as they form a good root system and planted in separate containers.

Keeping at home, pruning 

Representatives of this genus tolerate strong pruning well, with the help of which the crown can be given the correct geometric shape. It is necessary to prune quite often, as the bushes grow very quickly.

Pruning is carried out only with sharpened and sterilized tools.

In young seedlings, pinching the tops of young shoots is mandatory. Pinching can make the ligustrum thicker due to the formation of a large number of side branches.

In spring and summer, the flower can be kept outside. Place the bush so that it is protected from direct sunlight, heavy rain and gusts of wind.

How to transplant

Repotting is done as the pot is filled with the root system, approximately once every 2-3 years, and for adult specimens - once every 4-5 years, in mid-summer.

The need to change the pot to a larger one will be indicated by the tips of the roots appearing in the drainage holes.

Repotting is mainly done in the spring, and it is believed that this should be done before the buds of deciduous species open.

1. For planting, choose a roomy container with large drainage holes in the bottom.
2. When repotting, carefully inspect the root system and remove old and rotten roots, sprinkling the cut areas with crushed charcoal.
3. A drainage layer in the form of expanded clay or fragments of clay pots must be placed on the bottom of the pot.
4. A thin layer of substrate is placed on top.
5. The plant is placed in the center of the container and covered with fresh soil, tamping it with your hands to remove air pockets.
6. After planting, the bushes are watered generously and placed in a place protected from direct sunlight.
7. The first feeding of seedlings is carried out only after 2-3 weeks - fresh substrate contains enough nutrients.

Moving large tub plants causes great difficulties, so instead of transplanting, simply replace the top layer of soil 5-7 cm thick with fresh soil every year.

Diseases and pests 

• Despite the good shade tolerance of ligustrum, when grown in partial shade the bushes can become loose and the shoots will stretch.
• Fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, occur when growing in conditions that are too cramped, cool and humid.
• Viral manifestations may include leaf spot.
• To give the crown an attractive appearance, the branches must be constantly trimmed, otherwise the plant will become untidy and unsightly.
• Brown spots on the leaf blades or a border along the edges of the leaves will indicate a lack of potassium in the soil in which the bush is grown. 

Harmful insects are quite rare; scale insects, scale insects and spider mites sometimes appear.

When it blooms 

At home, ligustrum blooms quite rarely; in nature, buds appear  in late spring and early summer.

The flowering period is very long and can last for several months.

Pruned plants bear fewer flowers because pruning removes most of the flowering branches. 

Fertilizing 

During the period of active growth and flowering, apply general purpose fertilizer at half the dosage at least once a month.

Ligustrum welcomes foliar feeding in the form of sprays.

The bushes respond positively to both mineral and organic fertilizers, so the best effect is achieved by alternating such feedings.

Fertilizers are added to the soil only after abundant watering, since the entry of a too concentrated nutrient solution into the horse system in a dry substrate can cause a burn.

In the fall, the frequency of feeding is reduced, and in the winter months, feeding is stopped until spring, until the first signs of new growth appear.

How to water 

Adult ligustrum tolerate drought well, but young plants will need regular watering.

In spring and summer, the bushes are watered so that a small layer of substrate 2-3 cm thick has time to dry out between waterings.

In autumn, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced, and in the winter months, when the flower is kept in a cool room, it is reduced to a minimum.

In winter, simply do not allow the soil lump to dry out completely.

For watering, it is necessary to use well-settled water at room temperature.

Soil 

Privet tolerates most types of soil well, even very poor ones, but the soil must be well drained; the flower does not like stagnant water.

Acidic soils are not suitable for growing - it is better to choose neutral or slightly alkaline substrates.

On heavy soil, as well as on soil with excess sand, the bushes will develop worse.

The soil for growing can consist of humus, leaf and turf soil.

To improve drainage, a small amount of coarse river sand, perlite or vermiculite is mixed into the substrate.

For additional nutrition, as well as to make the soil looser, a small amount of wood ash or small pieces of charcoal are added to it.

It is advisable to choose a soil composition that will ensure unimpeded penetration of air and moisture to the root system.

Temperature

The genus is unpretentious, tolerates the winter dormant period with a decrease in temperature, but does not like long frosts.

In spring and summer, room temperature from 16 to 24 ° C is suitable for growing. With the onset of summer heat, it will be necessary to increase the air humidity and frequency of watering.

When grown in open ground, they withstand short-term frosts down to -30 ° C.

Lighting

Shoots and leaves should receive several hours of direct sun per day - in the morning and evening, shading is necessary on hot summer days at midday.

For growing in autumn and winter, you can choose the most illuminated place.

The bush is quite shade-tolerant, especially green-leaved varieties. Variegated species contain much less chlorophyll in leaf blades and need much more light.

When grown in partial shade, the color of the leaves of such bushes fades or becomes simply green.

Spraying 

There are no special requirements; ligustrum can tolerate a fairly dry atmosphere in residential premises.

Spraying can be carried out in the warm season to repel pests such as spider mites.

Place the pot in a well-ventilated area with good air circulation.

Purpose

A very attractive ornamental shrub.

Indoors it can be grown as a bonsai.

When grown as a hedge, ligustrum can protect a garden or yard from road dust and reduce the noise level from passing vehicles.

The fruits contain a very stable pigment, which in some countries is used to dye fabrics and alcoholic beverages.

Note

One of the beneficial properties is that the plant releases special substances into the air - phytoncides, which help fight bacteria and viruses.

Many above-ground parts contain toxins - leaves and small black berries - have the highest content of harmful substances. Protect children and pets from contact with the bush.

Symptoms of poisoning are diarrhea, weakness and abdominal cramps. In particularly severe cases, impaired coordination of movements is possible.

One of the positive qualities of the plant is also that it easily tolerates the polluted urban atmosphere.

Varieties: 

Ligustrum Japonicum

This is an evergreen compact shrub. The leaves are from 5 to 10 cm in length, rather hard, oval, glossy, green above and almost white below. The white flowers appear in May and have a very strong scent that may be unpleasant to some people. The blue-black berries ripen in September-October and often last through the winter. The species is well adapted to unfavorable conditions - drought, heat, cold, and is suitable for poor soils. Prefers shade.