Golden Ticket® Privet

The Golden Ticket® Privet (Ligustrum x vicaryi) is a deciduous shrub that shines in the landscape with its medium stature, growing to heights and spreads of 4 to 6 feet. Its mounded habit makes it an ideal choice for creating a natural yet neat appearance in the garden. The shrub's foliage presents a lively palette, transitioning from yellow to chartreuse as the seasons change. These colors glow against the white flowers that the privet produces in abundance from early to late spring, which not only enhance its visual appeal but also emit a delightful fragrance.

As a versatile plant, the Golden Ticket® thrives under various light conditions, from part sun to full sunlight, ensuring it can adapt to different garden placements. It is a plant that doesn't shy away from various climates either, as it is hardy across a wide range of zones from 5 to 8. The privet's resistance to deer makes it an even more valuable addition to gardens prone to visits from these animals.

The Golden Ticket® Privet is remarkably versatile in the landscape, serving multiple purposes with ease:

• Hedging and Screening: With its dense, leafy growth, it forms an effective living wall, ideal for privacy or concealing less attractive areas like air conditioning units or utility boxes.
• Mass Planting: Its uniform size and shape make it excellent for mass planting, creating a cohesive look in large spaces or used for defining garden borders.
• Mixed Borders: The vibrant yellow to chartreuse foliage can add contrast when planted with darker-leaved plants or interspersed with flowering shrubs that bloom at different times, extending the interest through multiple seasons.
• Foundation Planting: Its moderate growth rate and manageable size allow for planting near structures without the risk of overgrowth, making it a good choice for foundation plantings around homes or buildings.
• Accent or Specimen: A single Golden Ticket® Privet can serve as a focal point in a garden, especially in a container where it acts as a 'thriller' element due to its height and color.
• Wildlife Garden: While it is deer-resistant, the flowers can attract pollinators, adding a dynamic element to a wildlife-friendly garden.
• Urban Gardens: Its adaptability to different soil types and pollution tolerance makes it suitable for urban environments, where it can bring a touch of nature amidst the concrete.
• Erosion Control: Its root system can help stabilize slopes and banks, making it a functional choice for erosion-prone areas.
• Floral Arrangements: The foliage of Golden Ticket® Privet, with its clean and crisp texture, is excellent for use in floral arrangements, serving as an elegant backdrop for other blooms.

In landscape design, Golden Ticket® Privet offers both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits, making it a smart choice for a variety of landscaping needs.

Planting and caring for the Golden Ticket® Privet (Ligustrum x vicaryi) is straightforward, ensuring its appeal to both novice and experienced gardeners alike.

Planting Instructions:

• Location: Choose a site with part sun to full sun exposure (4-6+ hours of sunlight) for optimal foliage color and health.
• Soil: This shrub is adaptable to most soil types, even tolerating dry soils. Ensure the planting area has well-draining soil.
• Spacing: Plant shrubs 4 to 6 feet apart to allow for mature growth spread.
• Planting Depth: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Set the plant in the hole at the same level it was growing in its nursery pot.
• Watering: After planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. Continue to water regularly until the plant is established.

Care Tips:

• Sunlight: Although adaptable, foliage color is best when the shrub receives full sun.
• Watering: Once established, the Golden Ticket® Privet has average water needs and can handle some drought. Water regularly but allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering.
• Pruning: It doesn’t require heavy pruning, but if you desire a formal shape, prune to shape after flowering. This shrub blooms on old wood, so late winter or early spring pruning may remove the flower buds.
• Fertilizing: Apply a controlled-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth and flowering.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
• Pest Management: This plant is not only deer-resistant but also doesn’t generally suffer from serious pest or disease issues. Still, keep an eye out for common pests and treat them as necessary.

Special Considerations:

• Non-Invasive Nature: Unlike traditional privets, the Golden Ticket® is non-invasive and won’t spread beyond your garden.
• Hardiness Zones: It is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5a through 8b.
• Restrictions: Note that it cannot be shipped to the state of Maine, New Hampshire, or the city of Chicago, Illinois due to restrictions.

By following these guidelines, your Golden Ticket® Privet should thrive, providing you with a low-maintenance, visually striking addition to your garden for years to come.