Ligustrum
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Invasive in Central Texas
Full Shade
Full Sun
Part Sun/Shade
Low
Evergreen





About This Plant
Not Recommended.
Included here as an example of aggressive non-native species to avoid in south-central Texas, the ligustrums include several privet species used by homebuilders as instant evergreen hedges. Introduced as an ornamental, ligustrums have long escaped cultivation and some have come to dominate urban woodlands, where they replace native plants and trees. Glossy ligustrum’s purple berries are particularly noticeable in spring, when birds spread them, littering the ground with purple splatters.
For a informal screening hedge, consider non-invasive native alternatives like cherry laurel, yaupon holly, silktassel, Texas mountain laurel, Texas torchwood, evergreen sumac, Ashe juniper, and cenizo.
Maintenance
Can be cut to the ground to restart or control its size. Frequent hedging helps to maintain it at a lower height; if performed during the May bloom and summer growing season, it limits fruit production and helps prevent reseeding.
Features
This plant goes well with
- Trachelospermum asiaticum
- Buxus microphylla
- Podocarpus macrophyllus
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