TreeRM

Japanese privet

Ligustrum japonicum · Oleaceae · also Japanese ligustrum, Waxleaf ligustrum, Wax-leaf privet

The common waxleaf hedge shrub of Texas subdivisions, a dense evergreen 6-12 feet tall (to 20 as a small tree) with thick glossy leaves, cream flowers in late spring and blue-black berries. Birds spread the seed into woodlands and creek corridors, where it joins glossy privet in forming shady thickets. Fruit and leaves are poisonous and the flowers have a smell many find offensive.

Broadleaf evergreenFast growingSun or part shadeLow water
Japanese privet
José Luis Gálvez, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

  • 🇯🇵 Japan · Native to Japan and Korea

Invasive

  • 🇺🇸 United States · Texas Invasives reports it present in AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NY, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX and VAsource
  • 🇺🇸 NC, United States · Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council (per NC State Extension Plant Toolbox)source
  • 🇺🇸 TX, United States · Listed in the Texas Invasives (texasinvasives.org) plant database. Texas Invasives says it is unclear how invasive this species is in Texas but advises extreme caution because related privets are serious problems. Not on the TDA noxious list.source

Care

Not recommended for new planting in Texas; several privet species are listed as invasive. If you keep an existing hedge, shear after flowering so berries never form. Remove unwanted plants by cutting and treating the stump; seedlings pull easily when small. Yaupon holly or dwarf yaupon makes a native evergreen hedge of similar size.

Benefits

BirdsDrought tolerant

Good for

Watch out for

Invasive elsewhereToxic partsMessy fruit