Ligustrum Vulgare - Common Privet

Ligustrum vulgare, commonly known as Common Privet or Wild Privet, is a hardy semi-evergreen native shrub that makes an excellent dense hedge. Evergreen in all but the harshest winters, it is comparable to Oval Leaved Privet but distinguished by its narrower, pointed dark green leaves and larger, showier flower panicles. Often overlooked, Common Privet is particularly valuable for wildlife-friendly hedging and mixed native planting schemes.

Fast-growing and adaptable, it thrives in most soils (except very wet ground), performs especially well on chalk, and tolerates wind, shade, and coastal conditions. When clipped regularly, it forms a neat, dense hedge ideal for screening and boundary planting. However, frequent trimming will prevent flowering and fruiting.

In July, creamy-white tubular flowers appear in sweetly scented panicles, attracting bees and other pollinators. These are followed by clusters of glossy black berries, each containing 1–4 seeds. Although poisonous to humans, the berries are a valuable winter food source for birds.

This is the size and type we sell: Ligustrum vulgare Common Privet 50–80cm Cell Grown and 40–60cm 1u1, professionally grown for hedging, screening, woodland planting, and wildlife habitats.

Features & Benefits

Hardy semi-evergreen native shrub

Fast-growing and ideal for dense hedging

Narrow glossy dark green leaves

Fragrant creamy-white flowers in summer

Black berries support winter wildlife

Tolerant of wind, shade, and coastal exposure

Performs particularly well on chalk soils

Applications

Formal and informal hedging

Mixed native wildlife hedges

Garden and boundary screening

Woodland and game cover planting

Biodiversity-focused landscaping projects

Height & Spread (Approximate)

After 10 years: 3m height x 3m spread

After 20 years: 3m height x 3m spread

Growth assumes suitable site conditions.

Botanical Name | Ligustrum vulgare

Common Name | Common Privet

Plant Type | Semi-evergreen shrub

Growth Rate | Fast

Mature Height | Up to 3m

Mature Spread | Up to 3m

Soil Type | Most soils except very wet; thrives on chalk

Aspect | Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness | Fully hardy in the UK

Plant Size & Type | 50–80cm Cell Grown / 40–60cm 1u1

Maintenance | Regular trimming for dense hedge (limits flowering)

Wildlife Value | Flowers attract bees; berries feed birds; host plant for moths