Curly Leaf Ligustrum. This cultivar may also be listed as Ligustrum rotundifolium. Dirr says that his impressions of this plant can't be printed, but I rather like this little oddity. It has a very upright growth habit with contorted leaves. It probably resembles more of a piece of modern art than it does a plant. But it can be an excellent feature plant in a container or in a strategic place in the garden. It does quite well in sun or shade and will produce 2" spikes of white fragrant flowers in May. Even though it is a rather slow grower, it can get quite large, but it is easily maintained at a manageable size. One of the more memorable incidences with this plant was told me by one of my employees, when an older lady came in one day wanting a "possum-eared plant." He told her that he did not know a plant by that name. So when they went walking in the nursery yard, she spotted this plant and said, "There's that possum-eared plant." Looking at the contorted leaves, one can see how it has this epithet. (Photo compliments of Wise Nursery)
Zones 7-10
