Japanese Privet Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium'
ABOUT
The Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium', commonly known as the Round-leaved Japanese Privet, features glossy, deep green leaves that have a rounded shape, setting it apart from other varieties with more elongated foliage. The leaves are dense and leathery, providing a lush and thick appearance which contributes to its popularity as a hedge or ornamental shrub. The underside of the foliage is a paler green, creating a subtle contrast. This cultivar may occasionally produce clusters of small, creamy-white flowers that are fragrant, adding a sensory appeal to gardens. If the flowers are pollinated, they can give way to berry-like, purple to black fruits that are attractive to birds. Overall, the Round-leaved Japanese Privet presents as a full, rounded and evergreen shrub with a clean and structured look.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Oleaceae.
Synonyms
Japanese Privet, Wax-Leaf Privet, Round-Leaf Privet.
Common names
Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium'.
ToxicityTo humans
Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium') is considered to be toxic to humans if ingested. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds, especially the berries. If ingested, the toxins can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures or even coma. It is advisable to seek medical attention if any part of the plant has been consumed to ensure appropriate treatment.
To pets
Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium') is also toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats. All parts of the plant, particularly the berries, contain compounds that can cause poisoning. Symptoms of ingestion in pets may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious symptoms such as depression, lethargy, and coordination problems. If you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the plant, contact a veterinarian promptly.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
6-8 feet (1.83-2.44 meters)
Spread
5-6 feet (1.52-1.83 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7-10
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental appeal: The plant enhances gardens with its dense glossy foliage and compact, rounded shape.
- Drought resistance: Once established, it can withstand periods of drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care, pruning, or fertilization once settled into its environment.
- Privacy: Its dense growth habit makes it ideal for creating hedges or privacy screens.
- Adaptability: Can grow in various soil types, accommodating different garden conditions.
- Resilience to pests: Generally resistant to pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Year-round interest: Evergreen leaves provide color and structure throughout all seasons.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Privacy Screens: Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium', commonly known as Japanese Privet, is often used to create dense privacy screens and hedges due to its thick foliage.
- Topiary Art: The plant's dense branches and foliage make it suitable for topiary art, allowing gardeners to shape it into various ornamental forms.
- Windbreaks: In coastal and windy areas, Japanese Privet can serve as a windbreak, protecting soil from erosion and sheltering other garden plants.
- Noise Reduction: Planted in rows along property lines, the Japanese Privet can help reduce noise pollution from nearby roads or neighbors.
- Erosion Control: The plant's root system can help stabilize slopes and banks, making it a practical choice for erosion control in landscaping.
- Urban Landscaping: Japanese Privet is tolerant of urban pollution, making it a good choice for city landscaping projects that require resilient plants.
- Container Gardening: Dwarf varieties of Japanese Privet can be grown in containers for patios, balconies, or small gardens.
- Focal Point Plantings: With its glossy evergreen leaves and compact habit, Japanese Privet can serve as a focal point in garden designs.
- Bonsai: Skilled gardeners can train Japanese Privet into bonsai form, creating miniature representations of mature trees.
- Wildlife Habitat: While it's not well-documented, Japanese Privet may provide shelter for small birds and insects within its dense branch structure.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Japanese Privet is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Japanese Privet is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: Ligustrum japonicum, commonly known as Japanese privet, often symbolizes purity because of its bright, glossy leaves which can be interpreted as representing clarity and cleanliness.
- Protection: The dense foliage of the Japanese privet has made it a popular choice for hedges and boundaries, leading to its association with protection and creating safe spaces.
- Longevity: Japanese privet is known for its hardiness and longevity, which can symbolize enduring life and persistence.
- Privacy: Thanks to its use in creating hedges and screens, the Japanese privet also symbolizes privacy and seclusion.
WaterJapanese Privet 'Rotundifolium' requires regular watering, especially during its growing season in spring and summer. Water the plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Provide it with about 1-2 gallons of water every week to ensure the soil is moist but not soggy. The frequency might need to be increased during periods of extreme heat or drought. During winter, reduce watering to when the soil is dry a few inches down, as the plant's water requirements diminish.
LightJapanese Privet 'Rotundifolium' thrives in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot for this plant would be one where it receives at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate some shade, but the best growth and foliage density occur in brighter light.
TemperatureJapanese Privet 'Rotundifolium' is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing conditions for this shrub are between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect the plant from extreme cold by providing some cover if temperatures dip below the minimum threshold.
PruningPrune Japanese Privet 'Rotundifolium' to shape it, remove any dead or damaged branches, and encourage bushier growth. The best times for pruning are late winter or early spring, before the onset of new growth. It is a relatively fast grower, so annual pruning may be required to maintain a desired size and shape.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWax leaf privet thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter and prefers a pH between 6.5 to 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand can work well, ensuring nutrients and adequate drainage.
RepottingWax leaf privet, when grown in containers, should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingWax leaf privet is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average ambient outdoor humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place wax leaf privet in bright indirect light and water regularly.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to part shade, and water as needed.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleLigustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium', commonly known as Japanese privet, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which requires a warm stratification period to break dormancy. Following germination, the seedling stage involves initial root and shoot development as the plant establishes itself. The vegetative stage is characterized by robust leaf and branch growth, with the plant developing its signature rounded foliage and reaching maturity. The reproductive stage comes into play as the mature shrub produces fragrant white flowers, generally in late spring to early summer, followed by pollination and fertilization. Seed development ensues, with the production of purple to black berries containing seeds that are dispersed by birds and other wildlife. The life cycle can complete when the plant potentially reaches a senescence phase, characterized by a natural decline in growth and reproductive ability with age.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Japanese Privet 'Rotundifolium', is commonly propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method involves taking cuttings from the plant during the late summer, as this is the time when the current year's growth has begun to mature and harden slightly. Cut a 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) length of semi-hardwood, which should include several leaves or leaf buds, and remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Plant the treated cutting into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or sand, ensuring that the bottom half where the leaves were removed is buried. Maintain a humid environment by covering the pot with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagator and keep it in indirect light until roots develop, which typically takes several weeks. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or directly into the garden.
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