WSU Clark County Extension

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California Privet

Scientific name: Ligustrum ovalifolium

Taxonomy
Family:Oleaceae
Type:Evergreen shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:7 to 10
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:15 ft
Width:8 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description California Privet is widely used as a sheared hedging plant in the landscape.

  Morphology:
This is broadleaf evergreen shrub which can quickly grow to 15 feet in height and 8 feet in width. It bears rich dark green leaves which are 1”-2.5” long with an elliptic-ovate shape.

If this plant is not sheared it will bear flat white heavy-scented flowers which form in terminal panicles. Latter the flowers morph to shiny round black fruit.

The flowers of the plant, as well as the leaves, can have a very strong and unpleasant odor.
All parts of the plants are poisonous.

  Adaptation:
This species does in full sun. Keep the plants watered during the summer in order to keep them from defoliating. To form a hedge space plants a foot apart in a straight row. Clip the hedge twice during the growing season.

  Pests:
Pest free in the Northwest.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234