Ligustrum japonicum Coriaceum - Japanese Privet

The Ligustrum japonicum 'Coriaceum' is a variety of Japanese privet interesting for its very structured habit and the texture of its foliage.  With relatively slow growth and modest pruning, this bush is adorned with pretty evergreen leaves thick and curiously undulate, a shiny green, which give it a different personality. Its creamy white flowering attracts many foraging insects and animates the garden at the height of summer. Hardy, it is as easy to grow as the box to which it can easily substitute. A gently original bush, ideal in a hedge or topiary, in a zen, contemporary garden or in a pot on the terrace.                         

The Ligustrum japonicum is an evergreen bush from the Oleaceae family native to Korea and Japan. 'Coriaceum' is a horticultural variety that stands out for its lesser development, very structured vegetation and the appearance of its foliage. The young plant, with a bushy habit, will reach about 1.50m (4 ft 11 in) in height after several years, a little less in width. Its rather erect branches bear leaves arranged in an opposite way all year round. They are entire, ovate, leathery, shiny and undulate, bright green in colour, and measure 4 to 10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) in length. Flowering occurs in July-August. It takes the form of conical clusters 10 to 15cm (3.9 to 5.9 in) long appearing at the end of the branches. Each inflorescence contains dozens of small creamy white, nectar-rich and fragrant flowers. They give way to black berries, provided the bush is not pruned. All parts of the privet are toxic if ingested.

The Ligustrum japonicum 'Coriaceum', elegant and decorative all year round, is used in hedges, isolated, in groupings or even in pots. Its moderate growth exempts the gardener from any pruning, even when it is installed in a dividing hedge. Supporting pruning well, it lends itself wonderfully to topiary art, and can perfectly replace the box. Also combine it with other easy-to-handle bushes, for example persistent viburnums, Abelias, Aucuba or Berberis.