Culture
Grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best yellow foliage color in full sun. Tolerates wide range of soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ligustrum is a genus of about 50 species of deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen shrubs from Europe, North Africa, the Himalayas, Southwest and East Asia, and Australia. Many work well for hedges but some have become invasive in parts of the U.S.
Genus name comes from the Latin word for privet.
'NCLX1' is a compact, hybrid privet that features colorful foliage and a limited fruit set. This cultivar resulted from a cross between Ligustrum 'Vicaryi' and Ligustrum tschonoskii 'Little Thomas'. Mature plants will reach 4-6' tall with a similar spread and take on an upright to rounded, densely branched growth habit. The ovate, 1.25" long and 0.75" wide, glossy foliage emerges golden yellow in spring before maturing to chartreuse. Small, white, fragrant blooms are held in 1-2" long, terminal panicles in late spring. The flowers are occasionally followed by 0.25" long, berry-like drupes. Commonly sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name GOLDEN TICKET. This plant is protected by patent number PP27301.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Regular shearing impairs quality of yellow foliage color, so this shrub probably makes a better specimen than clipped hedge.
Uses
Good specimen shrub. Shrub borders, screens or informal (unclipped) hedges.