Privet can be found in many gardens and parks, in cemeteries and in the wild. There are numerous species that are ideal for the garden but also for planting in tubs. A small presentation of the most well-known types.

Yellow-margined privet species are particularly popular

Privet species - a small overview

Privet belongs to the olive tree family and is also native to our latitudes. It is very robust, mostly hardy and very easy to care for.

The garden trade keeps numerous species in stock, all of which are suitable for planting as a hedge or as a single shrub. Privet can also be grown in tubs or as a bonsai.

Well-known and frequently offered privet species

botanical name variety name leaves location particularities
Ligustrum japonicum 'Variegatum' White-colored Japanese privet medium green sun, penumbra
Ligustrum obtusifolium regelianum Bushy privet medium green sun, penumbra sparse growth
Ligustrum ovalifolium oval-leaved privet dark green for shady locations
Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' Gold Privet green with yellow edge sunny conditionally hardy
Ligustrum vulgare Common privet medium dark green all layers very hardy variety
Ligustrum vulgare 'Atrovirens' Black-green privet 'Atrovirens' blue green all layers keeps foliage for a long time
Ligustrum vulgare 'Lodense' dwarf privet green sun, penumbra very frost resistant
Ligustrum sinensis Chinese privet green as bright as possible not hardy

Caution: The berries are poisonous to humans!

The privet flowers in spring and produces small clusters of white flowers that are particularly fragrant in the evenings. They resemble small lilac flowers and are very popular as a food source for insects.

The berries, which ripen in autumn, are slightly poisonous and should therefore not be eaten. They are very popular with birds.

Privet is not evergreen!

Even if it can be read again and again - privet is not evergreen. This misconception has prevailed because some species, such as Privet atrovirens, keep the leaves on the bush for a very long time. Atrovirens only sheds its leaves during the winter. The lighter the privet is, the longer the leaves stay on the bush.

Most privet species are hardy

Privet is a very robust shrub that does very well in our locations. Most species are hardy and tolerate frost down to minus 10 degrees without any problems, at least when they are a little older.

For young plants, a light winter protection such as a mulch cover can be useful. Even if parts of the shoots are frozen, the shrub recovers very quickly and will sprout again in spring.

A well-known variety that is not hardy is the Chinese privet. It is either cultivated as a bonsai indoors or as a container plant and wintered indoors.

tips

For many garden owners, the question arises whether they should rather grow privet or cherry laurel. From an ecological point of view, the privet is always preferable. Its flowers and berries are valuable food for the local fauna.

Category:

Garden design