Native Plant Alternatives to Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese Privet)

Ligustrum japonicum, also known as Japanese Privet or Wax Leaf Privet, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Japan and Korea. It can become invasive in parts of the world where it has been introduced, such as the southeastern United States. This is due to its fast growth rate, prolific seed production, and ability to grow in a variety of conditions, including both full sun and shade and in a range of soil types.

Its seeds are spread by birds and other wildlife that eat the plant’s small, dark berries. Once established, it can form dense thickets that crowd out native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems.

Japanese Privet is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.