Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Ligustrum japonicum
Waxleaf Privet
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Height
- 6 to 12 feet
- Width
- 6 to 8 feet
- Flower color
- Creamy white
- Foliage color
- Glossy dark green, evergreen
- Bloom time
- May to June
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Dry to medium
- Maintenance
- Medium; prune after flowering or shape as needed
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7b to 10
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies; fruits are showy
About this plant
Ligustrum japonicum, commonly known as waxleaf privet, is an evergreen shrub or small tree prized for its glossy, dark green leaves and dense growth habit. In late spring to early summer, it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators. These blooms are followed by round, bluish-black berries that provide additional seasonal interest and food for birds.
Native to Japan and Korea, Ligustrum japonicum has been widely cultivated for its adaptability and ornamental value. Its neat, compact form and lush foliage make it a popular choice for hedges, screens, or standalone specimens in gardens. The plant's durability and year-round greenery have cemented its role as a versatile and dependable landscape option.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Hedging & Privacy · Bird Gardens · Formal Gardens
Companion plants
Russian sage · Blue fescues · Coreopsis · Yarrow · Daylilies · Creeping phlox
Design tip
Use waxleaf privet where a dense evergreen backdrop is needed to define or enclose a garden space. Allow it to grow more naturally for an informal screen, or prune it regularly to create a neater, more structured hedge that provides year-round contrast behind flowering plants.
