Privet

Botanical name: Ligustrum spp.

Common name: Privet

Family: Oleaceae (olive family)

Type: Evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub / small tree (species dependent)

Origin: Europe, North Africa, and Asia (widely naturalized in many regions)

Characteristics

Habit: Dense, fast-growing shrub or small tree with fine branching and small, opposite leaves. Naturally suited to compact bonsai forms due to its twiggy structure and quick response to pruning.

Leaves: Small, simple, opposite leaves, typically oval to lance-shaped; glossy green, sometimes variegated in certain cultivars. Evergreen in mild climates, deciduous or semi-evergreen in colder zones.

Flowers: Small, creamy-white, tubular flowers borne in clusters in late spring to summer. Fragrant but sometimes considered overpowering.

Fruit: Small black berries following flowers, attractive but mildly toxic.

Bark: Smooth and gray-brown, developing some texture with age.

Growth rate: Vigorous and adaptable, one of the easiest species to grow and shape as bonsai. Responds strongly to pruning and root work.

Cultivation

Light: Full sun to light shade. Best flowering and tightest growth occur in full sun; partial shade acceptable in hot climates.

Temperature: Hardy depending on species; L. ovalifolium and L. vulgare tolerate frost, while L. lucidum prefers warmer conditions. Protect less hardy types from severe frost.

Soil: Tolerant of a wide range of soils but prefers free-draining loam-based bonsai mix. Handles short dry spells but dislikes being waterlogged.

Watering: Regular watering during active growth. Allow the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings but never let the root ball dry completely.

Fertilizer: Feed generously during spring and summer with balanced fertilizer. Privet tolerates strong feeding and frequent pruning. Reduce feeding in late autumn and winter.

Pruning: Very responsive to pruning, new shoots will sprout quickly from old wood. Pinch and trim regularly during the growing season to maintain shape and encourage ramification.

Repotting: Every 1–2 years for young trees, every 3–4 years for mature ones. Repot in early spring before bud burst; tolerant of substantial root pruning.

Pests & diseases: Generally hardy and pest-resistant. Occasionally affected by aphids, scale, or leaf spot; good hygiene and airflow prevent issues.

Propagation

Cuttings: Extremely easy to root from semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings — one of the most straightforward bonsai species for propagation. Rooting hormone increases success rate.

Layering: Air-layering works very well for obtaining mature material with thick trunks.

Seed: Viable but rarely used due to ease of vegetative propagation.

Suckers: Some species produce basal shoots that can be separated and potted.

Bonsai notes:

Privet’s rapid growth makes it ideal for beginners and for developing trunk thickness fairly quickly. Regular pruning throughout the growing season keeps internodes short and canopy dense.

Naturally small leaves reduce even further with repeated pruning, root restriction, and moderate defoliation. Full defoliation is possible on healthy trees in mid-summer to refine leaf size.

Branches are flexible when young but stiffen quickly; wire in spring or early summer. Remove wires before they bite in, as privet bark marks easily.

Flowers on current season’s growth after spring pruning; if you want blooms, allow some shoots to extend in late spring.

Trunks can thicken rapidly with regular pruning and sacrifice branches. Develop nebari early by frequent root work during repotting.

Hardy species can overwinter outdoors with minimal protection; tropical or subtropical species (e.g., L. lucidum) require frost protection. Avoid prolonged freezing of the rootball.

Privet Species

Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet)

China and Southeast Asia. Small leaves, dense branching, very vigorous growth and excellent ramification, easy to prune, tolerates heavy shaping. Responds well to root pruning and pot culture; can be kept small for shohin or medium bonsai.

Ligustrum vulgare (Common Privet / European Privet)

Europe. Frequently used as hedging in the UK. Hardy upright shrub, easy to train with medium-sized leaves which tolerates a variety of climates. Has a tendency to produce suckers that should be removed unless you want to develop a clump style.

Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet / Waxleaf Privet)

Japan and Korea. Glossy, dark green leaves; slow-to-medium growth; produces small white flowers and black berries.

Ligustrum lucidum (Glossy Privet / Chinese Privet Tree)

China. Large, glossy leaves; rapid growth. Used mostly for larger bonsai; can develop thick trunks quickly. Requires leaf-size reduction techniques (pruning) for smaller bonsai styles.

Ligustrum ovalifolium (California Privet / Korean Privet)

East Asia. Oval leaves, compact growth, dense branching. Very responsive to pruning and shaping; tolerates bonsai container culture.

Ligustrum quihoui (Quihou Privet / Small-leaved Privet)

China. Tiny leaves, naturally dense growth, good ramification. Excellent for fine detailed bonsai and shohin size.