Curly Leaf Privet Ligustrum lucidum 'Curly Wurly'
ABOUT
The 'Curly Wurly', known commonly as the glossy privet, is a distinctive plant characterized by its unique foliage. Its leaves are an attention-grabbing feature, with a curling or twisting habit that adds a whimsical touch to the overall appearance. The glossy green of the leaves catches the light, reflecting a healthy sheen that stands out in garden settings. Floral aspects of the 'Curly Wurly' include clusters of small, white flowers that contrast vividly against the dark, curled leaves. On close observation, one may notice the tiny blooms are quite fragrant, adding a sensory delight to its visual appeal. Following the flowering period, the plant often produces berry-like fruits that initially appear green and transition to a darker shade as they mature. These berries can add an additional ornamental element to the plant's presentation. Overall, 'Curly Wurly' displays a full, dense habit with its twining and looping leaves, creating an aesthetically pleasing texture that can complement more traditional foliage in landscaping. Its decorative qualities make it a standout choice for gardeners looking for plants with both visual interest and potential for creating an impact without relying on large size.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Oleaceae
Synonyms
Curly Wurly Ligustrum, Curly Wurly Glossy Privet, Wavy Leaf Privet
Common names
Ligustrum lucidum 'Curly Wurly'.
ToxicityTo humans
The most common common name for Ligustrum lucidum 'Curly Wurly' is glossy privet. Glossy privet is considered toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the plant contain saponins and other compounds that can be harmful. Symptoms of poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in severe cases, increased heart rate, convulsions, and low blood pressure. The berries of the plant, in particular, can be attractive to children but should be avoided due to their toxicity.
To pets
For pets, glossy privet is also toxic. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to symptoms which may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. More serious poisonings can result in depression, low blood pressure, weakness, and ataxia. If a pet consumes glossy privet, it is crucial to seek veterinary assistance immediately. The toxicity is primarily due to the presence of saponins and other compounds in the leaves, stems, and berries.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 meters)
Spread
4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Offers visual interest with its unique, curly leaves and compact form.
- Landscape Versatility: Suitable for a variety of landscaping designs including hedges or as a standalone specimen.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Can survive in dry conditions after establishment, which is beneficial in areas with water restrictions.
- Urban Tolerance: Tolerates pollution and urban conditions, making it suitable for city environments.
- Shade Tolerance: Grows in partially shaded conditions, providing flexibility in garden planning.
- Privacy Screen: Can be used to create privacy barriers due to its dense foliage.
Medical Properties- Antipyretic: May be used in traditional medicine to reduce fever.
- Anti-inflammatory: Potential application in reducing inflammation.
- Antibacterial: Might be applied to fight certain bacterial infections.
- Hepatoprotective: Could offer some protection to the liver against certain toxins.
- Antitumor: May possess compounds with antitumor properties.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Privacy Screening: Due to its dense foliage, the glossy privet is often used as a privacy screen in gardens to create a natural, living barrier between properties.
- Topiary: Glossy privet 'Curly Wurly' can be pruned into topiary shapes, making it a popular choice for decorative hedging and landscape architecture.
- Windbreak: In coastal areas, it can serve as a windbreak to protect soil from erosion and shield other plants from strong winds.
- Erosion Control: The root system of glossy privet helps stabilize slopes and riverbanks, reducing erosion and promoting soil conservation.
- Noise Barrier: When grown in dense rows, glossy privet can also help dampen traffic noise, making it effective for urban and suburban landscaping.
- Shade Provider: Its crown forms a thick canopy that offers a cool shade, making it ideal for planting in parks and backyard gardens.
- Bonsai: Glossy privet's interesting branch structure and leaf arrangement make it suitable for cultivation as a bonsai tree.
- Urban Landscaping: It's tolerant of pollution and compact soils, making it a suitable choice for street or urban plantings.
- Bee Attraction: The flowers of the privet are known to attract bees, thus contributing to the pollination of local gardens and agricultural areas.
- Photography Backdrop: With its dense, green foliage and sometimes intricate pruning, glossy privet can act as an attractive backdrop for outdoor photography.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Glossy Privet is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Glossy Privet is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The twisting and contorted growth of 'Curly Wurly', a type of Privet (Ligustrum spp.), exemplifies adaptability and an ability to withstand adverse conditions.
- Protection: Privet hedges are often used to create living fences, symbolizing boundaries and safety in protecting one's space from outside intrusions.
- Privacy: In line with its use as a hedge, Privet signifies the desire for seclusion or personal space, offering a living screen that guards against prying eyes.
- Renewal: Privet has the ability to rejuvenate after cutting back, symbolizing renewal and the power of recovery.
WaterGlossy Privet 'Curly Wurly' should be watered deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. This could mean watering approximately once a week during the growing season, but it will depend on the climate and weather conditions. In hot, dry periods, more frequent watering may be necessary, such as every 3-4 days, using about 1-2 gallons per watering to ensure the soil is moistened thoroughly. During the winter months, reduce watering to every 2-3 weeks or when the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage.
LightGlossy Privet 'Curly Wurly' prefers full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. The best spot would be a location where it receives at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate some shade. Avoid placing it in deep shade as this can lead to less vigorous growth and fewer leaves.
TemperatureGlossy Privet 'Curly Wurly' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but thrives best in conditions between 60°F and 80°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 10°F; however, it may experience damage if the temperature dips below this point. Ideal growth occurs when temperatures are consistently within the mentioned range, without extreme fluctuations.
PruningPruning Glossy Privet 'Curly Wurly' is done to maintain shape, encourage dense foliage, and remove any dead or diseased branches. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It's advisable to remove up to one-third of the older stems to allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy, which promotes healthy growth. Some light trimming can also be done in summer if necessary to keep the desired shape.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGlossy Privet 'Curly Wurly' requires well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. A good mix can be made with equal parts of loam, peat, and sharp sand to facilitate drainage and aeration. Regular checks and balances to maintain the neutral to slightly alkaline pH will ensure optimal growth.
RepottingGlossy Privet 'Curly Wurly' should be repotted every two to three years. Younger, fast-growing plants may need to be repotted more frequently. Use fresh soil mix and a slightly larger pot to encourage continued growth.
Humidity & MistingGlossy Privet 'Curly Wurly' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but prefers moderate to high humidity. Aim for around 40-60% relative humidity for optimal conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a well-lit spot, away from drafts.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade, shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleLigustrum lucidum 'Curly Wurly', commonly known as Curly Wurly Glossy Privet, begins its life as a seed that germinates in moist soil with ample sunlight. After germination, the seedling emerges, developing distinctive curly leaves and eventually a robust root system. In its juvenile phase, the plant grows rapidly, forming a woody stem and branching structure. As it matures into an adult, the Curly Wurly Glossy Privet produces large panicles of creamy-white flowers during the summer, which are attractive to pollinators. Following the flowering stage, it sets fruit in the form of small, round, often blue-black berries that are dispersed by birds and other animals, enabling the spread of seeds. The plant then enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, reserving energy to re-emerge in the spring, completing its perennial cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Ligustrum lucidum 'Curly Wurly', commonly known as Glossy Privet, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. This technique is typically performed during the summer when the current season's growth has matured enough to be semi-ripe yet still pliable. Cuttings are taken from healthy branches, ideally measuring about 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 centimeters), with several leaves left at the top. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The treated cutting is then placed in a pot filled with a mix of perlite and peat moss to provide an aerated growing medium. The pot should be kept moist and in a warm, indirectly lit area until roots have established, after which the new plant can be transferred to a more permanent location for continued growth.
