Other Names:  Tree Ligustrum, Chinese Privet, White Wax Tree

Description:

An attractive large shrub or small tree with shiny dark green leaves with lighter green markings and cream margins; stunning panicles of cream flowers in summer and fall, may be followed by small black berries that may stain walkways

Ornamental Features

Excelsum Superbum Glossy Privet features showy panicles of creamy white flowers at the ends of the branches from late summer to early fall. It has attractive bluish-green foliage edged in creamy white with hints of grayish green which emerges brick red in spring. The large oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. It produces black berries in late fall. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

Landscape Attributes

Excelsum Superbum Glossy Privet is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy

Excelsum Superbum Glossy Privet is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Excelsum Superbum Glossy Privet will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.