Common Privet | Ligustrum ovalifolium
Brilliant for boundaries
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Europe
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Common Privet
Ligustrum ovalifolium
- Transforming the landscape with ease, this privet showcases small, highly scented white flowers in mid-summer if not pruned too tightly. It delivers an unparalleled visual impact that draws the eye instantly.
- Expect nothing less than a perfectly fast-growing, dense, and highly responsive to clipping growth habit. Furthermore, its semi-evergreen, oval green leaves providing excellent, year-round privacy provides brilliant visual interest even when not in flower.
- This robust privet asks for little more than virtually any soil or aspect, easily tolerating urban pollution and coastal winds. You will be delighted to find it is remarkably undemanding and settles in quickly.
- Ecology meets elegance, as Ligustrum ovalifolium reliably attracts nesting birds, while the subsequent black berries offer a valuable winter food source all year round. It is the ultimate classic choice for creating a neat, formal boundary screen.
- The story behind Ligustrum ovalifolium is wonderful: privet was heavily relied upon in Britain during WWII to replace traditional iron railings. As iron was melted down, privet quickly became the iconic boundary of the suburban British garden.
What to expect
Supplied as
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Common Privet can be grown in a pot, provided you use a suitably sized container with good drainage.
How big does it get?
The Ligustrum ovalifolium typically reaches a height of 3 to 4 metres and a spread of 3 to 4 metres if left unpruned.
How much sunlight does this need?
The Common Privet prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring about 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Common Privet prefers well-drained soil of any type.
How much watering does this plant need?
The Common Privet requires moderate watering, needing about 2.5 to 5 centimetres of water per week.
Will this plant need pruning?
Yes, the Common Privet requires pruning to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth. You can safely cut back up to 30 centimetres of growth during the dormant season, typically when temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
How hardy is this plant?
Common Privet is fully hardy throughout the UK with an RHS rating of H6, enduring temperatures down to -20°C.
The wider garden
Europe
Meet Mike's trusted specialists
Start with a touch of continental sun
Over 99% of our plants are grown in the UK, but where that’s not possible, Mike sources the best specialist growers in Europe for the job. Think citrus warmed by Sicilian sun, topiary trained by Dutch masters, almonds nourished in the Dordogne and bamboo bathed in Tuscan heat. Our handpicked growers nurture these plants to maturity before handing over to our team in the Cotswolds, to toughen them up for UK gardens.
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