Ligustrum japonicum 'TEXANUM' Japanese privet, waxleaf privet

Texanum is a distinctive and easily recognisable cultivar of Japanese privet, notable at first glance for its gently undulating leaves and a fuller, more relaxed habit that is untypical for the species. The leaves are evergreen, leathery, narrowly ovate, usually 4–6 cm long, fresh green and strikingly glossy on the upper surface, while the underside remains paler and matt. Because the leaves are mostly held upright, both surfaces are visible at once, giving the rich green foliage a subtle silvery sheen. The cultivar is further set apart by its distinctly wavy margins, which lend the shrub a somewhat playful, less formal character. In mid-summer, upright panicles around 10 cm long appear at the tips of the shoots, composed of small, cream-coloured, delicately scented flowers. After flowering, blue-black to black fruits may develop; these are readily taken by birds but remain mildly toxic to humans. Growth is slow to moderate, typically around 20–35 cm per year, and the shrub tends to form layered tiers rather than the classic oval outline typical of privets. Pruning is not required, though the plant can be shaped if desired, ideally after flowering.

The precise origin of the cultivar Texanum is not documented in any surviving breeding records, patents or registers, yet a number of consistent references appear in both professional and regional sources. The cultivar is recorded in American literature no later than 1954, in the Sunset Western Garden Book, and has long been known under the name “Texas privet”, strongly suggesting a US origin, most likely in Texas. Japanese privets began to be widely cultivated there at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in central and southern Texas, where favourable climatic conditions allowed them to establish quickly in both public and private landscapes. Some sources associate Texanum with the area around New Braunfels, or more broadly with the region between San Antonio and San Marcos, where privet cultivation had a long-standing tradition. In this context, historical nurseries such as Otto Martin Locke Nursery in New Braunfels, whose roots reach back to the late 19th century, and Aldridge Nursery in Atascosa, active particularly during the 1930s, are occasionally mentioned.

Evergreen privet requires a well‑drained, moderately fertile soil and thrives in full sun as well as partial shade; in deep shade it flowers less freely and gradually loses its compact form. Permanently waterlogged, heavy clay or otherwise impermeable soils lead to root problems and eventual decline. Once established, it tolerates prolonged summer drought and high temperatures remarkably well, but in winter it is accustomed to regular rainfall. In dry winters, it should therefore be watered thoroughly once a month during frost‑free periods. Mulching the root zone helps retain moisture and provides protection against frost; a generous mulch is recommended throughout the year. Feeding is not essential, though a single application of a balanced fertiliser in spring can be beneficial. To encourage density, maintain shape or limit size, prune after flowering or in late winter, never removing more than one third of the crown at a time. Both fruits and leaves are mildly toxic, so access by children and animals should be prevented. For hedging, plants should be spaced 0.6–1.2 m apart; for specimens or shaped forms, allow 2–4 m. In sheltered locations in Central Europe, Texanum has already withstood temperatures down to −18 °C (USDA zone 7) without damage, and further testing is ongoing.

Last update 21-03-2023; 06-04-2026