About
Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Lemon and Lime' is a semi-evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height of about 2.5 meters. It features an upright to arching growth form and is characterized by its dense foliage. The leaves are small, glossy, and can be found in shades of pale or golden yellow, bright green, or green edged with yellow. In early summer, the plant produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers, which may later give way to blue-black berries.
About the genus
Ligustrum consists of shrubs or small trees that can be either deciduous or evergreen. The leaves are simple and entire, while the plant produces panicles of small white flowers in spring or summer, which may have an unpleasant scent. These flowers are followed by clusters of black or deep purple berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Avoid planting in areas prone to waterlogging
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1; clip hedges twice in summer
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or by hardwood cuttings in winter
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to privet aphid, willow scale insects, lilac leaf-mining moth and privet thrips
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus, white root rot, leaf spots and Verticillium wilt