Hardwood cuttings

The lingustrum is a low-height tree with waxy leaves which comes in different foliage colors and thrives in Florida, but there are types which grow well in Europe or Asia as well.

Usually used as hedges, patio trees shrub borders or accent borders, they are adaptable and low maintenance with a rapid growth rate and don’t mind heavy pruning. You should fertilize them twice per year (early spring and fall, preferably) and propagate them by seed, cutting or grafting.

The process of routing takes about 8 weeks and is most successful if done using softwood and hardwood cuttings. Propagation by seeds should be done using the seeds from the fruit, which ripe in September-October, but use fruit which are not completely dried.

Due to the large variety of species, the lingustrum can suit all tastes. You can go for the Lingustrum Japonicum, also known as wax privet, which grows up to 5.5m, the widely spread Varigated Chinese privet with its white or yellow leaves or the Glossy privet which can be a bit of a handful if not controlled as it tends to spread very fast – it grows up to 12 m and has long leaves up to 6 inches.

When it comes to pests, the lingustrum can be affected by spidermites, scales, aphids and whiteflies, but they can be removed by spraying insecticide just as soon as you see them, before the leaves start to curl. If your tree has fungi you should immediately remove and destroy the affected leaves.

affected leaves, hardwood cuttings, heavy pruning, lingustrum, low-height tree, wax privet, waxy leaves