Ligustrum lucidum – Glossy Privet (چمکدار مہندی / جنگلی مہندی)
– Dense evergreen shrub or small tree, – Glossy green leaves with white flower clusters, – Widely used as hedge, screen, or ornamental tree
🌿 Botanical Name: Ligustrum lucidum (lih-GUS-trum LOO-sih-dum)
🌿 Family: Oleaceae (oh-lee-AY-see-ee)
🧊 Hardiness Zone (USA): 7–10
📏 Height: 12 to 30 feet as a tree; 6 to 10 feet when pruned as a hedge
🍃 Foliage: Evergreen, smooth-edged, leathery dark green leaves with a shiny, waxy finish; very dense and neat in appearance; responds well to trimming
🌸 Flowering Period (Lahore/Punjab):
May to July – creamy white, small, fragrant flowers in terminal clusters; may be mildly pungent in full bloom
🌼 Companion Plants:
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Nerium oleander – for a colorful contrast with pink or white blooms
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Duranta erecta – similar usage as hedge with berries
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Callistemon citrinus (Bottlebrush) – adds red flower spikes near hedging
🏡 Garden Usage:
Widely used in Lahore parks and homes as a privacy screen, clipped hedge, windbreak, or shade tree; adaptable to formal gardens and driveways
🍈 Fruition: Fruits appear after flowering as capsule-like structures; not typically ornamental or harvested.
🌱 Soil: Tolerates a wide range – prefers well-drained, fertile loam but adapts to clay, sand, and urban soils
⚖️ pH Value:
6.0 to 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)
💧 Water:
Low to moderate once established; water regularly when young or in extreme heat
🌡️ Temperature:
Withstands Lahore summers easily; tolerates down to -12°C; thrives in 20–40°C range
☀️ Location Preference (sun or shade): Can grow in shaded alleys but best foliage density in bright light
🌾 Propagation: Propagated by softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings in spring or early summer.
Seeds can be collected from dried capsules; soak 24 hours before sowing in warm, moist soil. Germination usually occurs in 10–14 days.
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🐛 Pesticides:
Generally pest-free; may occasionally attract scale or aphids—treat with neem oil or light pesticide spray if needed
🌻 Fertilizers: Apply general-purpose NPK fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer; compost or mulch boosts overall health
🦋 Attractiveness to Wildlife:
Flowers attract bees; berries may attract birds in winter but are mildly toxic to pets and children
💡 Tip: For a crisp green hedge or small ornamental tree that holds up well in Lahore’s climate, Ligustrum lucidum is a reliable, low-maintenance choice—just prune to shape.
🌼 May you enjoy shaping, trimming, and admiring this Glossy Privet (چمکدار مہندی / جنگلی مہندی) as it adds year-round greenery to your lawn or boundary.
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