| PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub | Course Home | Week 3 |
Ligustrum x vicaryi - Golden Privet
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| The yellow leaves are 2-3 inches long and lanceolate-elliptic in shape. | Panicles of white flowers form in early summer and have a creamy scent. |
Plant Description
This large deciduous shrub grows 10-12 feet high and wide. Its most most attractive feature is its lustrous golden leaves. The form is naturally rounded and needs little pruning to maintain a good shape. The foliage is dense, all the way to the ground, making it perfect for a screen. It is a fairly quick grower that hedges well, though it is rarely used in this manner, and can provide an interesting accent in the garden.
The 2-3 inch long laneolate-elliptic leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem. Leaves towards the ends of the stem have the rich yellow color, while those deeper in the canopy fade to a lime green. For the best colors the plant should be planted in full sun.
5-6 inch long panicles of creamy tubular flowers appear in the early summer. They have creamy fragrance, the attractiveness of which is debatable as many people enjoy the fragrance while others detest it.
Landscape Use
Use as a a screen or naturalized hedge, or as a focal point in a shrub border.
Points of interest
I have seen it used as a formal hedge and the effect was outstanding, though it is not commonly used as such. Pruning must be done regularly to avoid taking off too much new growth or the yellow color will be lost.