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Privet in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Ligustrum ovalifolium

 

Privet

Fast growing dense hedging plant with medium sized fleshy leaves that are green on top, and yellowy-green on the undersides, and clusters of creamy-white strongly scented (unpleasant scent to some people) flowers in mid summer that are attractive to insects. Shade tolerant. Normally evergreen but may shed leaves in very cold winters.

Contributed by @richard.spicer.7906

 
plant Features
  • Privet likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Privet likes very little water

    Very little water

  • Privet is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Privet likes free draining

    Free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Privet

Latin name

Ligustrum ovalifolium

type

Trees or Shrubs

family

Oleaceae

ph

5.0 - 8.5 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Privet likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    Privet is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Soil

    Privet likes free draining

    Free draining

  • Water

    Privet likes very little water

    Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant
  •  
    When the plant will bloom

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Privet is 3.50meters x 3.50meters 3.50 M 3.50 M

Ligustrum ovalifolium

Fast growing dense hedging plant with medium sized fleshy leaves that are green on top, and yellowy-green on the undersides, and clusters of creamy-white strongly scented (unpleasant scent to some people) flowers in mid summer that are attractive to insects. Shade tolerant. Normally evergreen but may shed leaves in very cold winters.


Planting

From Late Autumn TO Late Winter

Plant privet in Winter - any time from late Autumn to the end of Winter - at 3 plants per metre for hedging. Privet will tolerate most soils.

 

Flowering

From Mid Summer TO Mid Summer

Privet flowers in mid Summer, but if trimmed regularly (as a hedge) it will not flower or fruit. The flowers are creamy-white, and have a strong scent, which some people find unpleasant

 

Propagating by cuttings

From Early Spring TO Early Summer

Take softwood cuttings from new growth early in the day in Spring or early Summer. Cut, neatly, a 4" approx. piece of a non-flowering shoot, pinch out the tip, and cut off the bottom leaves. Dip the bottom of the cutting in hormone rooting powder, and carefully place in a pot of cutting compost with the leaves just above the level of the compost. Water, label, cover with a polythene bag, and place in a warm, bright place, out of direct sunlight. Take the polythene bag off periodically for a while for ventilation (at least twice a week)

 
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Gardeners who are growing this plant