Golden Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (v)
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as the Golden Privet is a visually striking shrub characterized by its vibrant foliage. The leaves are what really set this plant apart — they have a unique oval shape and display a beautiful variegation. The center of each leaf is a lush, deep green, which is boldly edged with a golden yellow color that creates a striking contrast. This splash of gold is particularly noticeable as light reflects off the leaves, making the plant shimmer and stand out in a garden setting. During the growing season, the Golden Privet may also produce clusters of small, white flowers that add an additional layer of visual interest. These flowers are typically fragrant, attracting various pollinators to the garden. Following the flowering period, the plant can produce small, dark-colored berries that can attract birds and other wildlife, providing an additional benefit to the local ecosystem. The overall shape of the plant is dense and bushy, allowing it to serve as an excellent choice for hedging or privacy screens in gardens. Its leaves are glossy, adding to the plant's visual appeal with their shiny texture. The Golden Privet is often appreciated for its year-round interest, as it can maintain its leaf color in milder climates even during the colder months, where it continually adds a splash of color to otherwise muted winter landscapes.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Golden Privet, Yellow-leaved Privet, Golden Variegated Privet, Golden Oval-leaved Privet.
Common names
Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Golden Privet is considered mildly toxic to humans. If ingested, parts of the plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It is not typically life-threatening but can be unpleasant and may require medical attention, especially for vulnerable populations such as young children or individuals with weakened immune systems.
To pets
The Golden Privet is also toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Ingestion can lead to similar symptoms as in humans, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion can result in depression of the central nervous system. If you suspect your pet has ingested this plant, it is important to contact a veterinarian promptly.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
White
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Foliage: Picturesque yellow-bordered leaves add visual interest to landscapes.
- Privacy Screening: Dense foliage growth is excellent for creating privacy hedges or screens.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Can survive with less water once mature, suitable for xeriscaping.
- Tolerance to Pruning: Responds well to pruning, allowing for shaping and size control.
- Adaptability: Grows in a variety of soil conditions and is tolerant of urban pollution.
- Wildlife Attraction: Flowers and berries can attract birds and beneficial insects to the garden.
- Year-Round Interest: Evergreen in milder climates, providing color even in winter.
- Fast Growth: Quickly establishes as a hedge or standalone feature in the landscape.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Golden Privet clippings can be used in compost making to add green material that decomposes to enrich the soil.
- The dense foliage of Golden Privet can serve as a natural sound barrier to reduce noise pollution in urban settings.
- Dried branches can be used in crafts, such as making wreaths or as part of floral arrangements for their shape and texture.
- Golden Privet can be planted to provide windbreaks in gardens or agricultural fields, due to its hearty nature and dense growth.
- The wood, being quite firm, can be used for small woodwork projects like making garden stakes or simple tools.
- Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' can be trained for topiary, providing a golden-tinted sculpture for ornamental gardens.
- Leaves of Golden Privet can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, giving a light greenish hue.
- Can be used in permaculture designs as part of a guild supporting beneficial insects and providing a perennial structure.
- Young straight shoots can be harvested and used for plant propagation in horticulture or for grafting other Ligustrum species.
- The plant's ability to thrive in urban conditions makes it suitable for roadside planting to enhance greenery along city streets.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Golden Privet is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Golden Privet is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: The robust nature of the Golden Privet, with its dense foliage, has traditionally symbolized protection and the safeguarding of secrets.
- Boundaries: As Golden Privet is commonly used for hedges and borders, it represents setting boundaries and demarcating personal space.
- Privacy: Due to its use in creating private spaces in gardens and properties, Golden Privet symbolizes the need for privacy and solitude.
- Versatility: The plant's adaptability in various climates and conditions reflects versatility and the ability to thrive in different situations.
WaterThe Golden Privet should be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. It's crucial not to let the plant sit in waterlogged soil, so ensure good drainage. In general, this may mean watering about once a week, but this can vary with climate and soil type. Depending on the size of the plant and the pot, a thorough watering might require approximately 1 to 2 gallons of water every 7 to 10 days during the growing season, cutting back in the winter months when the plant is not actively growing.
LightGolden Privet thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for the plant would be a location where it receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day, but it also does well in dappled sunlight or light afternoon shade. Avoid deep shade, as it will not allow the plant to flourish and may lead to sparse foliage.
TemperatureGolden Privet prefers temperate conditions and is hardy in a range between about 5°F and 90°F. The ideal temperature range for this plant would be between 50°F and 75°F. Although it can survive light freezes, prolonged exposure to temperatures below 5°F may damage or kill the plant.
PruningGolden Privet benefits from pruning to maintain its shape and encourage denser foliage. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, and again in mid-summer if additional shaping is required. Dead or damaged branches can be removed at any time. Pruning is typically done once or twice a year depending on the desired shape and size of the hedge or shrub.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Golden Privet prefers a soil mix that is well-draining with a good amount of organic matter. A blend of loam, peat, and sharp sand can create an ideal growing medium. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 for optimal growth.
RepottingGolden Privets, being relatively slow growers, don't require frequent repotting. It should be repotted every 2-3 years to prevent root bounding, ideally during the spring before new growth starts.
Humidity & MistingThe Golden Privet thrives in moderate humidity conditions. It does well in average humidity levels but benefits from higher humidity when grown indoors. No specific humidity level is prescribed, but it should mimic its natural outdoor environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright, indirect light; water when top soil is dry.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil; full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum', commonly known as Golden Privet, begins with seed germination, often in spring, when the soil temperature and moisture levels are adequate. The seedlings develop into juvenile plants with a fast growth rate, establishing a root system and foliage. As it matures, the Golden Privet enters a vegetative stage with dense, oval, golden-yellow leaves, and the plant continues to grow in height and spread. It reaches reproductive maturity in a few years, where it produces white flowers in late spring or early summer that are attractive to bees and butterflies. Following flowering, if pollinated, the plant develops small, dark, berry-like fruits that can be dispersed by birds. The Golden Privet can live for many years, and if left unpruned, it will continue to thicken and potentially reach around 10 to 15 feet in height, completing its life cycle if it dies from environmental stress, disease, or old age.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Golden Privet, commonly known as Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum', is commonly propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. This technique is typically carried out during the late summer. A semi-hardwood cutting is made from the current season's growth, after it has begun to mature and harden. It should be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long and include several leaf nodes. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then planted in a well-draining potting mix, kept moist, and placed in a warm, bright environment but out of direct sunlight to root. It usually takes a few weeks for the cutting to root adequately, after which it can be transplanted to a more permanent location.
