Ligustrum, Variegated Chinese Privet 'Variegata'

I have three of these in a bed underneath a high canopy of pine trees in zone 8. I have not found them to be weedy or invasive in my cond...Read Moreitions. The slightly weeping form and variegated leaves are an interesting contrast in the understory against the deeper greens of azaleas and gardenias it grows with. The only thing I have had to do is prune the occasional branch if it reverts back to the unvariegated form - those tend to be more aggressive spreaders and I don't want to risk it.

That said, I wouldn't plant this if starting from scratch because of the potential to become invasive if conditions change. The three I have are safe from the chainsaw for now, but there are plenty of other options for a blank slate.

I have positive and negative... the bad: my previous 50 year old home had this plant and there was no removing it short of heavy machin...Read Moreery. Ironically in my new home, I had to rely on it to create a fast growing privacy hedge underneath a grove of large pines. My house was too close to a party neighbor's deck and pool.

I just planted one of these recently and hope it does well!
I love the color of the leaves, the soft texture, and the weeping of t...Read Morehe branches. Can't wait to see if it gets any flowers in the spring, that would be a bonus.

I have had very good luck with these privets in the Houston, TX area. Low maintenance, and require very little water once established. ...Read More Although they look weak & spindly the first season, they will fill-out in time. I have two that fluffed up to 5 and 6 feet tall with nearly zero maintenance, and now they provide a nice "visual anchor" in the lawn. Since they can span-out about 4 feet, it's best not to plant anything else too close to them (which is easy to do when these shrubs are young and look narrow) since it will get crowded and concealed once the privet matures and broadens. The soft, whispy limbs and foliage are a nice contrast up against a brick home.