Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Lemon and Lime'
Golden privet
- Height × spread
- 4m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This variant of the common privet has largely yellow leaves, sometimes touched with green. They are very smooth-looking and are quite broad, tapering to a soft tip and having wavy edges. They are held on slender light brown stems. Left to its own devices it makes a lively and attractive shrub with well-spaced branches held outwards or upwards in a somewhat insouciant manner. This grows more slowly than the species but will eventually make a substantial specimen if left unpruned. It may flower but these are not very noticeable against the foliage. Note: There is a very similar shrub called Ligustrum undulatum 'Lemon Lime and Clippers' that some authorities consider to be identical.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Yellow
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- Yes, slight
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
More Ligustrum
Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium'
Japanese privet
Ligustrum lucidum 'Excelsum Superbum'
Chinese privet, Wax leaved privet, Glossy privet
Ligustrum ovalifolium
Oval leaf privet, California privet
Ligustrum
Privet
Ligustrum 'Vicaryi'
Privet
Ligustrum delavayanum
Delavay's privet
Ligustrum ibota Musli = 'Muster'
Japanese ibota privet
Ligustrum japonicum
Japanese privet