Ligustrum vulgare aka European Privet

Common privet is a fast-growing shrub that typically reaches 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) in both height and spread, forming a bushy, rounded shape. The plant grows at a medium to fast rate and can reach its mature size within 10-20 years under optimal conditions. Its vigorous growth and dense, multi-stemmed habit make it particularly well-suited for hedging applications, though this same characteristic means it can naturalize and spread aggressively in favorable environments.

Common privet is extremely cold-hardy, tolerating USDA zones 4-7 and UK hardiness zone H6, which means it can withstand minimum winter temperatures between -20 to -15°C (-4 to 5°F). The plant is hardy throughout all of the UK and northern Europe, making it suitable for cold winter climates. While deciduous in colder regions, it may remain semi-evergreen in mild winter climates, retaining its foliage year-round in warmer zones within its hardiness range.

As an outdoor shrub, common privet tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does not have specific humidity requirements. The plant shows remarkable adaptability to different atmospheric conditions, including maritime exposure with salt-laden air. If grown indoors as a bonsai, maintaining reasonably high humidity is beneficial—regularly misting with warm water (avoiding flowers) and placing the pot on a tray of wet expanded clay can help provide adequate moisture levels for indoor specimens.

Common privet requires different care throughout the seasons. In summer, the plant may need more frequent watering, especially during hot, dry periods, and hedges should be trimmed 1-2 times to maintain shape. Prune flowering specimens immediately after the June-July bloom period to avoid cutting off next year's flowers. In winter, reduce watering but never let the rootball dry out completely, especially for container plants. The plant may retain its foliage in mild winters or drop leaves in colder climates, entering dormancy.

Yes, common privet produces small white flowers in June and July that have a distinctive, pungent scent that many people find unpleasant or overpowering. The RHS describes the flowers as "often unpleasantly scented," while other sources note the fragrance as simply "pungent." Despite the strong aroma, these fragrant flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, particularly bees and other beneficial insects, making the plant valuable for pollinator gardens despite the scent being less appealing to human senses.

Common privet produces panicles of small, tubular white flowers in June and July. The blooms are hermaphroditic (containing both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects, particularly bees. While the flowers have a pungent scent that some find unpleasant, they are highly attractive to pollinators and are included on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list. After flowering, the plant produces glossy black berries that ripen from September to October and often persist through winter, providing food for wildlife though they are toxic to humans and pets.

Several cultivated varieties of common privet exist, each with distinct characteristics. Notable cultivars include 'Atrovirens' (more evergreen habit), 'Lodense' (compact form), 'Xanthocarpum' (yellow-berried privet), and var. italicum (evergreen privet). The species also has variegated forms with decorative foliage. POWO documents 54 recognized synonyms representing various horticultural selections and regional variations. While the straight species is less commonly planted today due to being considered less ornamental than other privet species, these cultivars offer additional options for specific landscape needs.

Yes, common privet is primarily an outdoor shrub and thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-7, making it suitable for most temperate climates. Native to Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia, it has naturalized throughout North America and other regions. The plant is exceptionally adaptable outdoors, tolerating urban conditions, atmospheric pollution, maritime exposure, and a wide range of soils and pH levels. It's particularly valuable for hedging, wildlife gardens, coastal gardens, and naturalizing in appropriate settings, though gardeners should be aware it can become invasive in some regions.

Pruning timing for common privet depends on your priorities. If you value the flowers and berries, prune immediately after flowering in late July or August to avoid cutting off next year's flower buds. If flowering is not important, you can prune in spring for general shaping. For hedges, trim 1-2 times during summer months to maintain desired shape and density. The plant follows RHS pruning group 1 and tolerates hard pruning well, making it forgiving for beginners. Its fast growth rate means regular maintenance is necessary for formal hedges, but the plant responds well to rejuvenation pruning if it becomes overgrown.

Common privet propagates easily through multiple methods. For seed propagation, sow in spring in a cold frame after removing fruit flesh (which inhibits germination); stored seed benefits from stratification, and autumn outdoor sowing is also effective. Semi-hardwood cuttings (5-10cm with a heel) taken in July-August root very easily, while hardwood cuttings (20-30cm) taken in November-December have a high success rate. The RHS confirms propagation via seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, and hardwood cuttings as all viable methods. The plant also spreads naturally by self-seeding in favorable conditions.

Common privet is susceptible to several pests and diseases. Common pests include privet aphid, scale insects, leaf-mining moths, and thrips. Disease issues include anthracnose twig blight (particularly problematic), leaf spots, powdery mildew, honey fungus, and Verticillium wilt. The Missouri Botanical Garden notes the species is "susceptible to anthracnose twig blight and other disease issues" which have contributed to its decline in popularity. Despite these potential problems, the plant's overall vigor and tolerance means it often grows successfully even when affected, though severe infections may require removal of affected parts or fungicidal treatment.

Common privet is pollinated by insects, particularly bees and other beneficial insects attracted to its fragrant white flowers. The flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female organs, allowing for both cross-pollination and self-pollination. The plant is included on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, recognizing its value for supporting pollinator populations. The pungent-scented blooms that appear in June and July are followed by black berries that ripen in autumn, indicating successful pollination and fruit set.

No, common privet is not edible—PFAF assigns it an edibility rating of 0 out of 5, indicating no known edible uses. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and animals, containing cardiac glycosides, saponins, and terpenoid glycosides. The berries, while attractive and glossy black, are particularly poisonous and cause symptoms including mouth irritation, stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. While PFAF notes "the toxicity is of a very low order" and consumption often leads to vomiting or mild symptoms, the plant should never be consumed and care should be taken to prevent children and pets from eating any part of it.

Common privet has minimal medicinal uses, receiving a medicinal rating of 1 out of 5 from PFAF. Historically, the leaves were used externally for their astringent, bitter, detergent, and vulnerary (wound-healing) properties, and the bark was employed as a stomach tonic. However, PFAF emphasizes that while external application is considered safe and can be effective for wound healing, internal use is not recommended due to the risk of allergic reactions. Modern herbalism rarely uses this plant given its toxicity and the availability of safer alternatives with similar properties.

Common privet has several practical non-ornamental uses, earning an 'other uses' rating of 3 out of 5 from PFAF. The leaves and bark yield yellow dye, while the berries produce bluish-green dye (notably more permanent than most green dyes) and black dye, all valuable for traditional textile work. The berries can also be processed into ink. The wood is hard and close-grained, making it suitable for turning, small tools, and charcoal production. Young twigs have been traditionally used in basketry and for making hurdles. These diverse applications demonstrate the plant's value beyond its landscape use, particularly for traditional crafts and natural dye production.

Caring for European Privet is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

European Privet’s native range is Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.

European Privet should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

European Privet loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

To ensure optimal growth, the European Privet prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

The European Privet should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

European Privet is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.