Phillyrea angustifolia f. rosmarinifolia

RHS Plant Profile

rosemary-leaved mock privet

RHS

Shrubs

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A dense and compact evergreen shrub to 1.5m tall, with narrowly linear, dark green leaves. In early summer it produces small, creamy-white flowers, which although insignificant are pleasantly fragrant. A good plant for hedging or topiary

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Phillyrea are evergreen shrubs with simple, opposite, leathery leaves and small, often fragrant white flowers, followed by purple to black berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: N Africa & S Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

See pruning group 1 or pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to Phillyrea whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility