Sunshine Ligustrum
Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine'
A golden-leafed evergreen shrub that brightens any landscape with its brilliant yellow-green foliage that holds its color year-round. This compact, low-maintenance plant produces small white flowers followed by dark berries, but it's grown primarily for its stunning golden color. Perfect for adding bright contrast to mixed borders and foundation plantings.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
6-15 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Sunshine Ligustrum in USDA Zone 7
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Sunshine Ligustrum · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0). Height: 6 ft. 6 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Sunshine'Compact shrub with yellow leaves 'Swift Creek'Variegated leaves 'Variegatum' variegated foliage, smaller, 'Sunshine', 'Swift Creek', 'Variegatum'.
Harvesting
Fruits are clusters of black, semi-fleshy, olive-like drupes that birds like to eat.
Color: Black. Type: Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Showy
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: Eurasia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Pollution
- +Attracts: Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Birds are attracted to the fruit.
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Fruits, Leaves): Low severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in partial shade created by ligustrum, complementary foliage textures
Boxwood
Similar pruning needs and growth habits, creates cohesive hedge design
Lavender
Attracts beneficial insects and repels pests that may target ligustrum
Astilbe
Enjoys filtered light under ligustrum canopy, adds colorful blooms
Camellia
Similar soil preferences and provides winter interest when ligustrum is dormant
Heuchera
Excellent groundcover under ligustrum, tolerates root competition well
Rhododendron
Both prefer slightly acidic soil and benefit from wind protection
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in ligustrum's dappled shade
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits ligustrum root development and growth
Large Oak Trees
Excessive root competition for water and nutrients, creates too much shade
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds suppress ligustrum growth and establishment
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Very disease resistant
Common Pests
Scale insects occasionally, generally pest-free
Diseases
Rarely affected by diseases