Ligustrum lucidum 'EXCELSUM SUPERBUM'

Privets are deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen shrubs from all continents but America. They are commonly fast growing and dense which makes them ideal for screening and hedging. However, there are a few exceptionally beautiful species or varieties which deserve to be planted as specimens. Chinese privet, also called glossy privet is a Chinese version of Japanese privet and honestly these two guys are difficult to differentiate at the first sight. Its native habitat is a large area from China to Korea and Japan. It belongs to the Oleaceae family which I have been eagerly studying for many years now, testing its species as they prove to be hardier than what was originally suggested.

Excelsum Superbum is a highly attractive, variegated form of glossy privet. It makes large, up to 15 cm long and 6 cm wide, ovate to oval, pale dark green leaves abundantly variegated butter yellow, often extended to the midribs. Directly contradicting its botanical name they are NOT glossy, they are rather matte. In late summer may appear numerous lilac-like panicles composed of small, creamy white, narrowly funnel-shaped flowers which may be followed by typical privet berries of blue-black colour. They are poisonous but in C.E. climate this privet needs age to bloom and when it does it is late in the season and seldom sets fruits.

Evergreen privet is often demanded as a standard tree which offers an instant and evergreen screening that blocks the unwanted views from neighbouring windows. It also serves as a handsome, small, evergreen, specimen tree if regularly trimmed. It grows fast forming an upright, broadly oval to pyramidal, and dense canopy atop 1-2m tall trunks. Its ultimate size reaches about 4-5m unpruned in C.E. climate and up to twice as much in zones 8 and 9 in locations with unlimited root space. Yet its size is commonly controlled by regular pruning and shearing, best done in late winter after all frosts. Light trimming is recommended in midsummer.

Evergreen privets will grow in virtually and free-draining soil but thrive in rich, acidic to neutral soil. Avoid waterlogging. Once established it withstands long periods of drought. Grow it in full sun only, green-leaved species and varieties cope with light shade, too. So far it has proved hardy to -17 °C (USDA zone 7) if properly mulched and further trials continue. After harsh winters it may shed some foliage but new leaves will quickly re-emerge in spring.

Last update 07-02-2023