Ligustrum japonicum
Light: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in Phoenix, especially near west-facing walls or pavement.
Water: Moderate water; irrigate deeply, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Water more frequently during establishment and extreme summer heat; reduce watering in winter.
Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates clay and alkaline conditions, but avoid persistently wet roots. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 10–15 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide; can reach 20 feet tall when trained as a small tree. Compact cultivars remain smaller.
Bloom: Late spring to early summer; frequent shearing reduces flowering.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate water and favorable growing conditions.