Japanese Privet

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Japanese privet (lat. Ligustrum japonicum) - ornamental shrub; a representative of the genus Privet of the Olive family. In terms of external characteristics, the species is close to no less common in ornamental gardening - shiny privet (lat. Ligustrum lucidum). In nature, the species is found in Japan and South Korea. It is actively used in the art of bonsai.

Characteristics of culture

Japanese privet is an evergreen shrub up to 4 m high with a compact beautiful crown and smooth branches. Leaves are small, dark green, leathery, wide, pointed at the tips. The flowers are small, white, collected in paniculate inflorescences. Flowering is short, takes place in June - July. Fruits are spherical, black, poisonous.

Growth is slow. The species is shade-tolerant, picky about soil conditions and moisture, relatively frost-resistant, develops well on soils containing lime. Japanese privet, like its close relatives, easily tolerates a haircut, which makes it possible to form the most unusual shapes and figures from the bushes. Plants are suitable for the formation of small groups, hedges, and alley plantings.

Currently, two decorative forms of Japanese privet have been developed:

* f. rotundifolia (round-leaved) - the form is presented in the form of compact shrubs no more than 2 m high, equipped with short branches and broad-oval leaves;

* f. variegata (variegated) - the form is characterized by small shrubs, characterized by variegated-spotted foliage with a white-pink border.

Both types are actively used in ornamental gardening. They boast resistance to pests and diseases. Suitable as houseplants, also used in the art of bonsai. It should be noted that in addition to Japanese privet, oval-leaved privet (lat. Ligustrum ovalifolium) is used as a bonsai - an equally attractive deciduous shrub that forms small and fragrant flowers.

Care features

Japanese privet will feel great in slightly shaded areas protected from a piercing wind, draft and direct sunlight. In spring and summer, it is not forbidden to keep plants in the garden or on the balcony, but with the onset of the first night frosts, the plants are brought into a cool room. It is preferable to plant privet in containers filled with a mixture consisting of fertile soil, clay granulate and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. Moreover, the soil in containers must be changed at least once every 2-3 years, because the culture is an adherent of fresh soils.

It is important to touch upon the topic of soil moisture. Japanese privet is hygrophilous, needs regular watering, and is able to withstand short-term drought without significant changes. For the active development of the culture, additional feeding is required, from spring to autumn the plants are fed once every two weeks, in winter every 5-6 weeks. It is recommended to use organic fertilizers intended for bonsai as top dressing. The formation of privet begins at an early age; it is possible to give the plants a vertical or broom-like shape.

Propagation by cuttings

Japanese privet is most often propagated by cuttings. Cuttings are cut from large and well-developed shoots in late June - early July. The optimum length of the cutting is 8-12 cm. Before planting for rooting, the cuttings are treated with growth stimulants. The cuttings are planted in an inclined position in greenhouses, where the main substrate is made up of turf and sand, and a five-centimeter layer of clean sand is poured over the substrate.

During the rooting period of cuttings, the temperature should be kept at least 23C, high humidity is also required. Such conditions will speed up the rooting process. The first roots in cuttings appear in 7-14 days, a more powerful root system is formed in 3 months. The following spring, the rooted cuttings are transplanted into containers with a volume of 300-500 ml, a year later they are transplanted into a larger container.