Detailed Introduction to Cold-Hardy Varieties of Red-Fruited Privet

Red-fruited privet belongs to the genus Ligustrum in the family Oleaceae. It is distributed in the high-cold region at 1500 m in the Luoxiao Mountains. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree, 5-7 m tall, with purple-red young branches and pedicels, and elliptical leaves 6-8 cm long and 3-4 cm wide, light purple-red. Terminal panicles are 6-8 cm long. The fruit is long-elliptical, a false berry of drupe-like form, with one seed. The flowering period is May, and the fruiting period is August; the branches are laden with red fruits that persist until October without falling. This variety has strong adaptability, grows quickly, has a high sprouting rate, tolerates pruning, and can withstand low temperatures of minus 20-22°C. In areas of Beijing with a favorable microclimate, it can be grown entirely in the open field, and it can resist sulfur dioxide, chlorine gas, and hydrogen oxide. It grows normally in slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 8-9.

Propagation: 1. Seed propagation: after the seeds are harvested, they go through a 5-7 day after-ripening period, then the seed coat is rubbed off, the seeds are washed out in clean water, slightly dried, and stored mixed with moist fine sand. Sow in December, or in northern regions this can be postponed to March. In the following year, from April to May, thin the seedlings and transplant them; in the second year, plant them out in the field, and after 2-3 years they can be ready for sale. 2. Cutting propagation: divided into spring cuttings and summer cuttings. Spring cuttings are done in March, and summer cuttings in June-July. The cuttings must be woody, 7-8 cm long, with 1-2 leaves, and the lower end cut into a horseshoe shape. The cutting bed medium uses fine loess mixed with one-third fine sand. After inserting, water thoroughly, cover the arched frame with plastic film, and shade with a sunshade net.