ShrubsLigustrum vulgare
Common Privet
Common Privet is a versatile, semi-evergreen shrub with small, oval leaves and fragrant white flower panicles in June and July. The black autumn berries are a food source for birds. Excellent as a hedging plant thanks to its fast growth and good tolerance of pruning.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 200–400 cm
- Spread
- 150–300 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–8
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- white
- Wildlife value
- bees, birds, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in sun or partial shade in virtually any soil type. Privet is extremely adaptable and tolerates poor, dry, and chalky soil. Water regularly in the first year. Apply compost in spring for good growth.
Pruning tips
Trim hedges two to three times a year: in May, July, and optionally September. Privet tolerates hard cutting and regrows quickly. Overgrown hedges can be renovated to old wood in early spring.
Good companions
TreesTaxus baccata
English Yew
English Yew is an evergreen conifer used both as a freestanding tree and as a formal hedge. Its dark green needles are densely packed and form an impenetrable screen. Female trees bear striking red berries in autumn. All parts except the berry flesh are poisonous.
ShrubsBuxus sempervirens
Boxwood
Boxwood is an evergreen shrub with small, glossy dark green leaves that is ideal for topiary and hedging. The plant grows slowly and can live for hundreds of years. Small green-yellow flowers appear in April and May, attracting early bees.
ShrubsPrunus laurocerasus
Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel is a popular, evergreen shrub with large, glossy dark green leaves. It bears white flower racemes in April and May, followed by black berries loved by birds. Widely used as a hedging plant thanks to its fast growth and dense, year-round screen.