Today we are going to talk about a very popular plant that is valued for its rusticity and makes it perfect for climates where drought abounds. Its about Ligustrum ovalifolium. It is also known by other common names such as ligustrina, California privet, and troanilla. This species is found naturally in forests with a milder climate. It belongs to the Oleaceae family.
In this article we are going to give you a lot of information about the Ligustrum ovalifolium so you can have it in your garden and take care of it perfectly.
Key features
This species has a fairly erect development and reaches heights of approximately 2 meters. It is perfect for the most initiated in the world of the garden since it is not at all demanding in terms of requirements or care. Also, you can enjoy a plant with a fast growth. What makes this plant popular for gardens is that it has a good ability to grow into any type. This rusticity extends to all those areas where it is more complex to have an easily cared for garden, due to the climate.
It has small, oval-shaped leaves. They are bright green in color and provide dense coverage. This coverage makes it very vigorous and this fills our garden with life. This shrub is evergreen all year round. Perfect for forming hedges and park boundaries. The versatility of this plant is that you can use it in areas near the sea because its rusticity allows it to grow in more saline soils.
It is recommended that the Ligustrum ovalifolium let it grow freely until it is time to cut back the pruning. Many people put it in a container and it does not cause problems, but it is always better to let it grow freely so that it can reach its full splendor without having to guide them in their growth.
Its flowering takes place in summer, when the plant with large clusters are compact and with small white flowers. The good thing about these flowers is that they have a smell, but it is not too pleasant for some. This is what makes, if you do not like the smell that its flowers give off, surely you will not want to have this plant in your garden. On the same plant you can find both male and female flowers.
Requirements of Ligustrum ovalifolium
It is a plant that is best to have throughout the year in sunny areas. Although it can grow in places where it has partial shade, it is not the most recommended. Ideally, it should be in areas of direct sun, since if you do not notice it enough when the flowering season arrives. If it has not received enough solar radiation, the flowering will not be half as abundant and half as beautiful.
When flowering is ending, we can see rounded fruits on the plant with a shiny black color. These fruits appear grouped in clusters. Ligustrine serves to attract wildlife to your garden such as birds. Although the fruits are poisonous to humans, they have no effect on birds.
If the winter season is especially cold compared to other years, the plant will lose its aerial part almost entirely. However, there is nothing to worry about, because it is easily recovered when the spring season arrives and the temperatures are higher again. It does this as a survival mechanism in which it removes “leaves to feed” and spreads its sap. With low temperatures this process is more difficult.
It can tolerate many climates and some frosts, although the aforementioned loss of the aerial part occurs. It is not at all demanding in terms of the type of soil in which it is planted. As we have seen before, the Ligustrum ovalifolium it is able to remain in almost any type of soil, even if it is saline. However, the only condition it has in terms of soil is drainage. It can tolerate frost, different climates, drought, etc. But waterlogging is your worst enemy. You will need soil that has good drainage so that irrigation water does not accumulate and cause the roots to rot.
As for watering, it should be moderate watering all year round. If you want, in the spring and summer season, increase watering a little more, taking into account the temperatures, wind, humidity, etc. Existing at that time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to water again.
Maintenance and uses of the Privetrum ovalifolum
This plant is one of the most widely used species for making fences and hedges. This is due to the characteristics that it has of rusticity and good adaptation to continuous pruning that helps to give it the shape we want.
When the flowering season is over, we can perform a moderate pruning on the bush. If you want, you can also wait for the birth of some new shoots to know which branches to remove. Usually, those that are dry, damaged or that have not given new shoots are eliminated. These branches deteriorate after the cold of winter.
If you want to rejuvenate the plant or make a severe trimming in the case in which its growth looks exaggerated, you can do a stronger pruning that is no problem. If you want to propagate it, it is easy if you do it by seeds. You can also do it using cuttings of semi-mature or harder wood obtained from cuttings or pruning.
It is advisable to make a light fertilizer with compost in autumn or spring. This is done to help you through the most difficult times of the year for them. On the one hand, in autumn it is nourished to be able to withstand the cold winter temperatures. On the other hand, in spring it serves to help hedges with flowering.
If you sow with harder wooden stakes, you will see that they root easily just as they do in summer if you place them under a glass the softer wooden stakes.
I hope that with this information you know more about the Privetrum ovalifolium.
