Last updated on February 19th, 2025 at 07:17 pm
The Wax Leaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum) thrives in Southwest climates, making it a reliable choice for year-round greenery. This hardy perennial stays lush and vibrant through all seasons, maintaining its rich dark green, glossy leaves. It typically reaches a height of 8 to 10 feet and spreads about 5 feet wide, creating a compact yet striking presence in gardens or as a privacy hedge. During spring, it produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers, adding a subtle touch of elegance and fragrance. Its waxy foliage not only looks polished but also makes it resistant to harsh conditions, making it low-maintenance and versatile for various landscape designs.
If you need a tall hedge, this is a great option. Keep in mind, though, it’s not drought-tolerant—it thrives with regular watering. To keep it healthy, fertilize three times a year: once in spring, summer, and fall. It’s versatile when it comes to light, handling both full sun and shade well.
Can it be used as a Border Wall?
Yes, this plant can be used as a nice dense privacy wall screen. Perfect to keep neighbors from looking into your yard. You can also use it as a topiary and form it into a ball, square, or a 2-3 tiered plant in a nice ornamental container. See the Photos Below.
Dense foliage all year long. Place it as a background plant with small colorful perennials or annuals in front. Fragrant white flowers during the spring seasons. Plant 3-4 for a great-looking contemporary hedge. Use them as a complement plant for your lawn.
Do insects like this plant?
They are susceptible to leaf miners and spider mites. Look for them during the hot summer season. For best results use a systemic insecticide to remove these pests.
Use it as a stand-alone large plant. Wax Leaf Privet has nice dense foliage, see the image below. Fertilize it with a good 20-20-20 fertilizer once in summer, spring, and fall. More often if you want quick thick dense foliage.
Turn the Wax Leaf Privet into a dense thick hedge. Keep the neighbors looking into your yard.
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This is an invasive plant in most of the country. I never recommend planting.
Yes, but not in and around the Desert Southwest where it will not become invasive, not enough rainfall. You can also plant them in containers eliminating the invasive nature of these plants.