Ligustrum/Privet

Walter, we were confused by the names too, but told the nursery we wanted variegated privet and that is what we got. It looks more airy, and gets tall, will outgrow the solid green privet, is hardy, etc. Our 150 ft. will look terrific. Jackie in zone 7.

Just ask your nurseryman what the scientific name of his Texas Privet is. If he hedges (pun intended) and doesn't give you an answer ask if he will guarantee these plants to be Ligustrum japonicum, and that you may return ithem if they are not. If he won't do so DON'T buy.

Personally I think they are not. A plant called New Mexico Privet is actually Forestiera, however they do give the scientific name. Emilie

To my knowledge there are no native ligustrums at all, nor are there native privet. Japonica indicates native to Japan. Chinensis indicates native to China. Ligustrums in certain areas are outlawed because they are noxious. Just be cautious when using these. I didn't know any better at one time and I had a LOT of work.

Walter Now this is interesting. I went to the library this evening* and checked out a book CA Home Landscaping, to look at the pretty pictures and start dreaming about spring, etc. and there on Page 197 what did I find but TEXAS PRIVET

Texas Privet: Ligustrum japonicum 'Texanum' Shrub/small tree, very glossy bright green leaves, clusters of white flowers Dark blue-black berries fast growing full/partial sun any soil

• i was looking for Jerry Baker materials LOL Emilie

It is NOT a Texas native.

V I did not say it was a Texas native It is a cultivar/variety of L. japonicum which is what the OP wanted to know.He wanted to know the height: Texanum 6-9ft, L. japonicum 6-12 ft. Emilie

I just wanted to make the distinction because it is on our noxious, do not plant list. At least the Texas Native Plant Society. It is really not a good plant and maybe a disease will wipe it out. Finally something is killing the oleander. Nice plant, just not here.

The nasty privet here is L. lucidum or Glossy Privet This thing gets to be 40 feet tall and produces millions of berries, which are messy and the birds love them. Then they of course spread them all over. I have about a hundred seedlings every spring. The only good thing is they are easy to pull out, but you have to do it soon because they are fast growers. There is a California Privet, which is not native either. L. ovalifolium Emilie

It's actually a really nice plant. It brings back memories from childhood in Brooklyn for me. The sparrows house inside them over winter and they do have beauty, but they are inching out everything native. You know, like the president is doing to America. Just about everyone I know wants out of here! I don't know where that came from, I just went with it. v