Ligustrum Sinense Sunshine #3

Do you want a pop of bright, cheerful color that lasts all year long, but you don't want to deal with the hassle of replanting annual flowers every season?

This specific variety is a sterile cultivar, which is a fancy way of saying it doesn't produce seeds, berries, or those pesky seedlings that pop up everywhere. We love it because it is shockingly yellow. It doesn't even look real. It works like a highlighter for your yard, drawing the eye instantly to wherever you plant it.

For our friends in King and Winston-Salem, this plant is a lifesaver. It loves our hot, humid summers. In fact, the hotter and sunnier it gets, the brighter the leaves glow. It laughs at our red clay soil and is incredibly drought-tolerant once it gets its roots down. 

Why We Recommend It:

• Year-Round Gold: Most plants give you color for a few weeks and then fade. 'Sunshine' is golden-yellow 365 days a year. It provides a stunning contrast against dark brick, green lawns, or purple-leafed plants (like 'Cerise Charm' Loropetalum).

• Sneeze-Free Gardening: Here is a huge bonus for allergy sufferers: 'Sunshine' does not bloom. That’s right—no flowers means no pollen. If you love spending time outside but hate the spring sniffles, this is a good shrub for you.

• Trim it or Leave it: This plant loves a haircut. You can shear it into a low hedge, shape it into a ball, or let it grow loose and feathery. It’s incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for anyone who likes to get creative with the hedge trimmers.

Best Used For:

• Low, colorful hedges (plant them 2–3 feet apart).

• Accents in a mixed border (to break up the green).

• Container gardening (it’s a great "thriller" in a pot).

• Flanking a walkway or entrance.

The Specs:

• Growth Rate: Moderate.

• Mature Size: 3–6 ft. tall and 3–4 ft. wide (easily kept smaller).

• Sun: Full Sun (Crucial! It turns lime green if it's in the shade).

• Soil: Very adaptable; thrives in well-drained soil but tolerates clay.

Ready to light up the yard?

Read more about Ligustrum varieties at the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, or come visit us at Mitchell's. You won't have to search hard for these bright plants.