Variegated Chinese privet is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub that grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. It is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). The plant is pollution and alkaline-tolerant, somewhat shade tolerant, and tolerant of poor soils. The best foliage will appear when planted in full sun. It will tolerate pruning, but keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on new growth. This plant flowers in the late spring, and its malodorous flowers are offensive to many people. It is very vigorous and grows quickly to form a dense thicket. This plant is a cultivar of a known invasive species. Variegated Chinese privet is not recommended for gardens or landscapes. Please consider native or less problematic plants listed at left. Quick ID Hints: opposite leaf arrangement medium green in color with cream or white variegation Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whiteflies, Japanese and ligustrum weevils, white peach scale, and privet rust mites are common insect problems. Anthracnose, twig blight, cankers, powdery mildew, root rot are common disease problems. Susceptible to copper deficiency. It can be weedy in disturbed areas has escaped and naturalized in moist areas. The leaves and berries of privet can cause problems for dogs if eaten. More information on Ligustrum sinense .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.