Mature Height/Spread:This is an evergreen shrub with a compact growth habit to 10 feet high and 5 to 6 feet wide. The foliage is 2 to 4 inches long and rather leathery. The oval leaves are glossy green above and almost white beneath. The white flowers appear in May and have a very strong odor, which may be offensive to some people. The blue-black berries mature in September to October and often persist through the winter. They are about ¼ inch in diameter. Birds do not seem to be interested in these berries.

Growth Rate: Japanese privet has a rapid growth rate of 25 inches or more per year.

Landscape Use: This shrub is excellent for use as a hedge or screen or for shaping into a small tree.

Cultivation: Japanese privet is adapted to adverse conditions of drought, heat, cold, many soil types and salt spray. It is easily transplanted and prefers partial shade to full sun. The only soils this shrub does not grow in well are those that are permanently wet.

Problems: Despite the plant’s susceptibility to a variety of insects, such as white flies and scale, and to diseases, such as anthracnose, none are serious problems, and they rarely require spraying.

Cultivars and Varieties:

* ‘Rotundifolium’ or roundleaf Japanese privet grows to 5 feet and has nearly round leaves to 2½ inches long.
* ‘Howard’ has leaves that are yellow when new and green when mature. Both colors are present at the same time.
* ‘Recurvifolium’ is a slightly smaller-leaved form with wavy leaf margins. The leaves are twisted at the tip.
* ‘Silver Star’ grows to 8 feet and has leaves that have gray-green mottling and silver edges.
* ‘Variegatum’ has leaves with white margins and blotches.