Ligustrum vulgare

RHS Plant Profile
wild privet

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wild privet RHS 2002
wild privet visionspictures.com
wild privet visionspictures.com

Other common names

common privet, prim, prim-cut, yswydden

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Shrubs
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A bushy, deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub with dark green, lance-shaped leaves and terminal panicles of small, white, pungently-scented flowers in summer, followed by small, shining black berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Ligustrum can be decidous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, entire leaves and panicles of small, often unpleasantly scented white flowers in spring or summer, followed by black or deep purple berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe N. Africa SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, often found growing wild on chalky soils. Good for hedging

Propagation

Propagate by seed, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1; clip hedges twice in summer

Pests

May be susceptible to privet aphid, scale insects, leaf-mining moths and Thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spots, honey fungus and Verticillium wilt