Waxyleaf Privet
Ligustrum quihoui
(lig-GUS-trum)
In a true case of life
imitating art this picture showed up in my desktop slideshow last night the
same day of our tri-annual pruning of the Privet Hedge. The hedge lives in
White Plains, New York and is about 150 feet long. We have been managing it for
four years now. When we took it over it was in poor condition and I got the
brilliant idea (at the time) of feeding it with some Scott’s Super TurfBuilder. Ever since then it has grown expeditiously. What really needs to be
done is a heavy dormant pruning of a couple of feet off the top and some
thinning and it is very easy to remember that now. The hedge is on a steady
slope and is 4 feet tall (after yesterday) at the start ranging all the way up
to 8 feet tall at the other end.
Ligustrum quihoui is considered
very invasive in certain areas of the country (like Texas) but is more like an
accidental in this area. It is rarely seen and doesn’t seem to present that
problem. The Common Privet
(Ligustrum vulgare) can be a beautiful and rewarding shrub if left to
develop its large and gracefully arching frame. The late fragrant flowers are
nice and a great addition to the summer garden. The flowers on the Waxyleaf
Privet are much larger (3 or 4 times) than the Common types. They are much
showier and somewhat stronger smelling. Overall Waxyleaf Privet seems to
present a superior esthetic in the landscape.
1 comment:
Hmm, turfbuilder. I have a hedge that might benefit from some. Beautiful photograph!
Ever consider removing the word verification? Since Blogger has spam removal now, I haven't had any problem with spam. You would have a lot more happy commenters. I have now had to try the letters 3 times. Hopefully the next one will work.
Post a Comment