Chapter 104 Ligustrum sinense
104.1 Chinese privet, common privet
A Chinese privet in the Golden State Bonsai Federation collection. This tree has several larger leaves on a background of small leaves. The larger leaves are the normal size; the smaller leaves were created by repeated leaf pruning. Link to original image.
104.2 Soil: Moist Deciduous Mix
Ratio: 4 parts bark, 1 part grit
Add-ins: dolomitic limestone (~5 lbs/yd), Tree-Tone (15 lbs/yd)
pH: ~6.5 (slightly below neutral)
Moisture: privets are adapted to moist riparian areas, so like even moisture.
104.3 Light
Routine: while adapted to the understory, growth is more compact in partial ro full sun in spring and fall.
Summer: provide mid-day shade to reduce leaf scorch and keep the soil moist.
104.4 Cultivation Notes
104.4.1 Potting & Root Pruning
Early spring is preferred, but can be done anytime the weather is moderate. Do not repot just before frost or in high summer. Privets are extremely hardy, and will tolerate removal of 50% or more of the root mass.
104.4.1.1 Top & Branch Management
Heavy pruning: prune branches anytime up to about 1 month before frost.
Fine pruning: thin as needed before frost. Prune branches back to 2 leaves. Privets will break buds even on very old wood. They will need to be pinched or pruned back with scissors repeatedly each season.
104.4.2 Feeding
Fertilize after new leaves have begun to emerge. Use slow-release fertilizers such as:
- Slow release shrub and tree fertilizer, applied at half the recommended rate.
- Organic plant food that must be broken down by soil microbes, such as Epsoma Tree-Tone.
- Inorganic, water soluble fertilizers at half strength rather than full strength.
Privets grow very aggressively. To slow their growth, consider feeding less or feeding on an alternating schedule, meaning feed them half as often as other trees.
104.4.3 Pests & Problems
Privet branches can die back, but will resprout from the remaining green areas. Dead areas can be carved then treated with ferrous sulfate or linseed oil to prevent further decay.
104.4.4 Winter Storage
Store in mulch outdoors. Try to place in a shaded area so buds do not break in a mid-winter warm spell. No other special precautions are needed.
104.5 Propagation Notes
Privets are ridiculously common along streams and in untended wild areas in the Piedmont. They also are extremely tough. Specimens with 3-5 inch basal flare can be cut back to a foot high, pulled from the ground by force, and potted up with no special precautions. Usually the will sprout new growth within 2-3 weeks.
104.6 Artistic & Styling Notes
Because they are so common and hardy, privets are a good choice for beginners.
104.7 Additional Information
104.7.1 Natural History
Chinese privet native to China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Originally introduced as an ornamental hedge, it is widely naturalized in Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama and warmer zones of much of the eastern and southern United States. Privets are highly invasive; they bear large numbers of small black fruits that are eaten by birds. The seeds pass through the birds undigested and are deposited in other locations. Fragments of the roots that are dislodged by flooding or animal activity also help it spread.
Despite being invasive, several cultivars have been selected, including the dwarf cultivar ‘Wimbei’ that only reaches 20 inches tall, and has leaves less than 1/4 inch long.
104.7.2 In Cultivation
Despite being invasive, privet does have some benefits. They bloom reliably in mid-spring when bees most need forage flowers, and remain in bloom even if air temperatures drop. Privets form tight root networks that can stabilize soil banks and riparian zones. They survive both fires and floods well, and often are the first shrubs to resprout after these events.