Ligustrum sinense aka Chinese Privet

Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense, belongs to the olive family. Its native range runs from China to Vietnam, including Taiwan. It forms a large shrub or small, many-stemmed tree. Garden plants reach about 6–15 feet (1.8–4.6 metres) tall. Their spread can also reach 15 feet (4.6 metres). Some accounts give heights of 20 feet (6 metres). Its branches arch outward, and suckers can form dense thickets. Leaves may stay through winter or fall, depending on conditions.

The smooth bark is gray-brown, with pale, horizontal lenticels. Young stems have fine hairs and a gray-yellow tint. Slender twigs carry small buds and may retain dead side shoots. The simple leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stems. They are oval to narrow, with smooth edges. Dark green blades reach 1–3 inches long. Their thin texture helps distinguish them from thicker-leaved privets. Hairs grow along the midrib beneath each leaf.

Small white flowers grow in dense panicles at shoot tips. Flower clusters also grow near the upper leaf bases. Their strong smell can make them unpleasant near paths. North Carolina accounts place bloom in late spring. The RHS records flowers in midsummer under UK conditions. Clusters of dark purple to black drupes follow the flowers. Birds and mammals eat the fruit and spread its seeds. These fruits also draw songbirds to the plant.

Chinese privet grows fast and prefers full sun. It also tolerates partial shade and a range of soils. Moist soil with good drainage suits cultivation. It accepts acidic, neutral, and alkaline ground. Avoid sites where water stands around the roots. Sources list USDA zones 6–9 and UK hardiness H5. Gardeners have used it for hedges, screens, and woodland edges. Deer tend to cause little damage. Hedges need clipping twice during summer, according to the RHS.

Its spread makes it a poor choice in invaded regions. It displaces native plants in the eastern and southern United States. Both seeds and suckers help it take over ground. Established thickets are hard to remove. Pests include whiteflies, weevils, scale insects, mites, and aphids. Root rots, leaf spots, mildew, and wilt can occur. No edible uses are recorded, and the fruit is poisonous. Eating it can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. One source records bark use to reduce fever.