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About the nursery |
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Why is Japanese Ligustrum a real threat to native trees and shrubs in the landscape? Many people consider a shrub such as Japanese Ligustrum an attractive addition to the landscape. However, the plant has rapidly spread to displace native trees and shrubs in Texas yards, fencerows and right of ways and has brought along a host of problems. Ligustrum's yearly over-abundance of fruit is eaten and dispersed by many species of birds. High seed viability and rapid seedling growth far surpasses native species, shading and crowding out desirable plants. The shrub is a haven for non-native birds such as grackels, English sparrows and starlings who roost and nest in the dense foilage. It is also a favorite of non-native whitefly and scale, insect pests that can migrate to nearby native shrubs and perennials. Considering all these problems, we hope that you will not consider planting more. If Ligustrum is well established on your property and you would like to remove them, one of the best ways is to cut them off even with the ground and pile dirt over the remaining stump areas. Keep moist to encourage rotting of the remaining wood. We recommend that you plant a Rough-leaf Dogwood, Mountain Laurel, Yaupon Holly, Possumhaw Holly, Texas Pistache, or Lindheimer Silk-Tassel as an alternative. |
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