Ligustrum, Wax

| Ligustrum, Wax | Evergreen — Sun/Part Shade |
| Ligustrum japonicum | Height 10′-15′ Spread 8′-10′ |
| li-GUS-trum ja-PON-eh-cum | Spacing 3’-4’ |
HABIT: Glossy leaves, blue berries in winter. Very fragrant white flowers in late spring. Usually multi trunked but single stem plants available at nurseries. Native to the Orient.
CULTURE: Any soil and condition as long as drainage is good. Light shearing or pick pruning in March and July is helpful to keep the plant compact.
USES: Ornamental tree, screen, tall border, background plant.
PROBLEMS: Whiteflies, cotton root rot. Freeze damage in severe winters.
NOTES: Wax leaf has been grossly misused as a foundation planting or low hedge. I also think pyramid, poodle and globe shaped pruning is a silly thing to do with this plant.
![]() Wax ligustrum |
![]() Wax ligustrum, close |


