- Dense, Glossy Emerald Foliage
- Punctuated with White Blooms in Spring
- Pleasantly Fragrant
- Great for Windbreaks and Hedges
- Can be Pruned into Breathtaking Shapes
- Pest, Disease and Drought Resistant
- Full Sun, Partial Shade
The Waxleaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’) is a garden marvel among your average evergreen shrubs. The survivability of this amazing plant tied with its natural beauty and adaptability make this versatile evergreen a must-have in any grower’s space.
This evergreen shrub sports broad leaves of a deep emerald green year round. This already alluring shade of green is only elevated by the glossy sheen that gives the waxleaf its name.
Spring brings a pleasant twist to the foliage of this plant in the form of bursts of dozens of small profusions of fragrant white blooms. These dainty flower clusters bring a softness to this plant’s beauty, and in the fall being to turn to blackish berries birds love.
While most birds prefer the fruit, the blooms of this privet shrub makes for a feast among your average pollinators. Butterflies will flutter happily to your yard as they travel looking for a quick meal, so be sure to keep your camera ready!
The Waxleaf Privet is more than just a several feet tall pillar of green foliage, however. Similar to your typical hedge plant, this fast growing privet shrub can be pruned into many different shapes and sizes depending on your growing area’s needs.
As if variety and fantastic color weren’t enough, this plant is also ridiculously survivable! Drought tolerant and disease resistant, this plant is also ignored by most pests in addition to having high salt tolerance for seaside planting.
How to Use Waxleaf Privet Grass in the Landscape
The Waxleaf Privet’s dense foliage and several feet of growth potential makes it a great fit for a privacy hedge. Several of these shrubs in close proximity are sure to block both heavy winds and prying eyes from your yard or garden space.
While leaving the growth of your privet shrub unchecked won’t inhibit its beauty, pruning into formal topiary designs is guaranteed to elevate this plant to the next level. A careful pruning can turn your privacy hedges into formal topiary clipped hedges, providing the same protection with a cleaner cut look.
Heavy pruning can make your Waxleaf Privet look just like a small standard tree! Smaller gardens looking for a low-growing tree can make use of this feature for a smaller tree that still packs a huge punch.
This shrub can also make waves if used in containers! A pyramid form pruning is sure to earn looks if used to flank an entryway, or even scattered periodically along a pathway.
Coastal gardens are sure to benefit from the addition of some Waxleaf Privets. Their natural salt tolerance paired with dense wind blocking foliage makes for a great garden shelter wall from harsh coastal winds.
Tips for Care
The Waxleaf Privet can thrive in a variety of soils, even sand and clay, but prefers well-draining soils. Water deeply and regularly after its initial planting, but once it gets a growing season to establish itself your privet shrub will retain its drought resistance for years to come.
Regular pruning into formal shapes can elevate your privet shrub to the next level, but it’s important to know when to trim so as not to hurt it.
It is ideal to wait until after flowering to prune. Never prune this plant after its white flowers have begun to show or it could permanently stunt its growth potential.
Waxleaf Privets tend to grow healthy without much help, being naturally disease and pest tolerant. Planting your shrub in a well circulated area will certainly help, easing the mind of the concerned plant parent.
Not picky about how it gets its light, this shrub can grow in anything from full sun to part shade. Between this and all its other resistances, you almost have to try hard to kill this plant.
With amazing color, unparalleled survivability, and many different uses to boot, the Waxleaf Privet is a must have for any grower’s needs.
