Ligustrum amurense (Amur Privet)


Michael's Opinion

Popular as a hedging plant, over time it will develop bare knees and will need to be knocked to the ground. It is wonderful in flower which is seldom seen if it is kept as a hedge. Its spikes of white blooms are deeply scented and can develop into very attractive fruit.

Botanical Information

FamilyOleaceae
GenusLigustrum
Speciesamurense
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginNorthern China.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The sap may cause skin irritation while most parts of the plants are toxic. The berries are especially toxic and there have been documented cases of fatalities in both humans and livestock through fruit consumption.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone4 - 8
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-40
Temperature (°F)-30
Height4 - 5 m
Spread2 - 5 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodMay, June

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionDense, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with green foliage, creamy-white deeply-scented flowers and attractive black berries. This plant will live for approximately 30 years in ideal conditions.
ID CharacteristicCreamy white flowers with a very strong unpleasant scent. Its fruit is toxic if ingested and the sap may cause skin irritations. The fruit, small oval shaped black berries can be seen in the winter.
ShapeNarrow vase-shaped.
LandscapeCan be used as a form of screening, hedges, specimens and shrub borders in residential and commercial areas.
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings taken in spring.
CultivationRequires partial to full sun to grow, however can survive most exposure conditions. The plant is not effected by pollution and salt making it very useful in urban environments.
PestsJapanese beetles, leaf miners, scale, whitefly, weevils and aphids can affect it. No known diseases.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThin, light brown mature bark. New growth is a dark purple colour.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSmall brown ovoid buds.
Leaf DescriptionDull green and lanceolate shaped leaves. Opposite leaf arrangement, smooth leaf margins, leaves are about 2 - 5 cm in size.
Flower DescriptionFlowers are large, creamy-white and have a strong, unpleasant odor. Flowers typically bloom in late May for 2 - 3 weeks and are about 2 - 5 cm in size.
Fruit DescriptionBlack, oval-shaped berries that ripen in early September and are about 1 cm in size.
Colour DescriptionGreen foliage, with creamy-white flowers that eventually turn into black berries in the spring, summer and autumn. Light brown bark.
Texture DescriptionMedium texture that does not change throughout the seasons.

Photographs