Hardiness zones
Sunset 4-24
USDA 7 (with cold protection), 8 - 11

Landscape Use: Informal background hedge of screen, small multiple-trunk patio or streetscape tree, filler plant

Form & Character: Large evergreen shrub to small tree, formal, dense, mesic plantings

Growth Habit: Moderately upright and rounded to 25' with less than equal spread. Can be maintained effectively at 6' to 10'.

Foliage/Texture: Opposite, thick, glabrous, waxy, ovate, leaves to 4" long, prominent midvein, prominent stem lenticels, medium texture

Flowers & Fruits: Musty musty smelling small white flowers in panicle clusters; fruits small black, waxy globose to 1/4" long and clustered.

Seasonal Color: White flowers in late spring. Fruit add a subtle accent color in fall.

Temperature: Tolerant of Phoenix cold and heat

Light: Partial sun best. Avoid western sun as is prone to trunk sunscald in Phoenix.

Soil: Some chlorosis in wet alkaline soils, well drained.

Watering: Regular

Pruning: Best pruned in early to mid summer after bloom. Can be pruned in any manner. Sometimes sheared as large topiary. Sever renewal pruning to the ground works well to rejuvenate old glossy privet hedges.

Propagation: Seed (naturalizes in the southeast US), softwood cutting

Disease and pests: Root rot pathogens, especially Texas root rot, scale, spider mites

Additional comments: Currently an old fashioned and neglected landscape plant from the era of ca. 1940-1960 landscapes designs. Like L. japonicum, this is a much used plant across the southern half of the United States. It makes an excellent small tree or large informal hedge. Fruit has medicinal value.