Ligustrum

LIGUSTRUM IBOTA (_syn L. amurense_).--Japan, 1861. A compact growing

species, about 3 feet in height, with small spikes of pure white flowers

produced freely during the summer months.



L. JAPONICUM (_syns L. glabrum, L. Kellennanni, L. Sieboldii_ and _L.

syringaeflorum_).--Japan Privet. This is a dwarf-growing species rarely

exceeding 4 feet in height, with broad, smooth, glossy-green leaves, and

large com ound racemes of flowers. There are several varieties,

including L. japonicum microphyllum, with smaller leaves than the

parent; and one with tricoloured foliage and named L. japonicum

variegatum.



L. LUCIDUM (_syns L. magnoliaefolium_ and _L. strictum_).--Shining-leaved

Privet, or Woa Tree. China, 1794. A pretty evergreen species, with oval

leaves, and terminal, thyrsoid panicles of white flowers. It is an old

inhabitant of our gardens, and forms a somewhat erect, twiggy bush, of

fully 10 feet in height. Of this there are two varieties, one with

larger bunches of flowers, and named L. lucidum floribundum, and another

with variegated leaves, L. lucidum variegatum. L. lucidum coriaceum

(Leathery-leaved Privet) is a distinct variety, with thick,

leathery-green leaves, and dense habit of growth.



L. OVALIFOLIUM (_syn L. californicum_).--Oval-leaved Privet. Japan,

1877. This is a commonly-cultivated species, with semi-evergreen leaves,

and spikes of yellowish-white flowers. It is a good hedge plant, and

succeeds well as a town shrub. There are several variegated forms, of

which L. ovalifolium variegatum (Japan, 1865) and L. ovalifolium aureum

are the best.



L. QUIHOI.--China, 1868. This is a much valued species, as it does not

flower until most of its relations have finished. Most of the Privets

flower at mid-summer, but this species is often only at its best by the

last week of October and beginning of November. It forms a straggling

freely-branched shrub, of fully 6 feet in height and nearly as much

through, with dark shining-green oblong leaves, and loose terminal

panicles of pure white, powerfully-scented flowers. It flourishes, like

most of the Privets, on poor soil, and is a little-known species that

note should be made of during the planting season.



L. SINENSE (_syns L. villosum_ and _L. Ibota villosum_).--Chinese

Privet. China, 1858. This is a tall deciduous shrub, with oblong and

tomentose leaves, and flowers in loose, terminal panicles and produced

freely in August. L. sinense nanum is one of the prettiest forms in

cultivation. It is almost evergreen, with a horizontal mode of growth,

and dense spikes of crearny-white flowers, so thickly produced as almost

to hide the foliage from view. It is a most distinct and desirable

variety.



L. VULGARE.--Common Privet. Although one of our commonest shrubs, this

Privet can hardly be passed unnoticed, for the spikes of creamy-white

flowers, that are deliciously scented, are both handsome and effective.

Of the common Privet there are several distinct and highly ornamental

forms, such as L. vulgare variegatum, L. vulgare pendulum, having

curiously-creeping branches, and the better-known and valuable L.

vulgare sempervirens (_syn L. italicum_), the Italian Privet.