A member of the olive family, privet is a popular hedge plant that you can grow almost anywhere. It forms many branches and requires little work other than regular pruning. A small fact sheet about the privet.

The privet belongs to the olive family

The privet - a wanted poster

  • Botanical name: Ligustrum
  • Common names: Rainweide, fence bolt
  • Plant family: Olive family
  • Occurrence: Europe, Asia
  • Species: more than 50
  • Location: semi-shade, sun
  • Height: up to 5 meters
  • Age: 50 years and over
  • Root form: Shallow roots, dense root network
  • Periwinkle / Deciduous: Deciduous, leaves stay on for a long time
  • Leaves: up to 6 cm long, green, darker on top
  • Flowers: panicles up to 6 cm long, white, very fragrant
  • Flowering period: June, July
  • Fruits: almost black berries in autumn
  • Toxicity: leaves, bark, berries (seeds)
  • Hardiness: high (except non-native species)
  • Use: hedge plant, topiary, individual shrub, bonsai

Undemanding shrub for hedge planting

Privet grows in almost every location. Only complete shade and soil with waterlogging he does not tolerate. Dust pollution, which is common in the city, doesn't bother him much.

Privet is therefore very popular as a hedge. But it can also be easily cared for as a single shrub or in a bucket.

Very vigorous and tolerates pruning

Privet is very fast growing. The shoots can grow up to 50 cm a year. In order for it to branch well, however, it has to be cut very often and also shortened in height.

The shrub tolerates pruning and can be pruned in spring to rejuvenate it. You can cut it into almost any shape you want or cut it as a bonsai.

Privet is not evergreen

Privet is often referred to as evergreen or even sold. That is not correct. The shrub sheds its foliage in winter. The warmer it is, the longer it stays on the bush. The privet species Atrovirens keeps its leaves for a particularly long time.

Plant privet or cherry laurel

There is no question for ecologically conscious gardeners. The local privet is the better alternative from an environmental point of view. Cherry laurel is not a native plant species and is therefore not accepted by local wildlife.

tips

The leaves of the privet serve as food for the privet hawkmoth, a moth. The flowers are flown to by bumblebees, butterflies and other insects. Birds love the almost black berries.

Category:

Garden design