Privet from the olive family is a popular hedge plant that you can grow almost anywhere. It forms many branches and requires little work apart from regular cutting. A short profile about privet.
What is a privet and what does its profile look like?
Privet (Ligustrum) is a species of plant from the olive family. It is known as an undemanding, pruning-tolerant hedge plant that grows quickly and can reach heights of up to 5 meters. The flowering period is in June and July, but privet is not evergreen.
The privet – a profile
- Botanical name: Ligustrum
- Popular names: rain willow, fence bar
- Plant family: Olive family
- Occurrence: Europe, Asia
- Species: more than 50
- Location: partial shade, sun
- Height: up to 5 meters
- Age: 50 years and over
- Root shape: shallow roots, dense root network
- Evergreen / summer green: summer green, leaves last for a very long time
- Leaves: up to 6 cm long, green, upper side darker
- Flowers: panicles up to 6 cm long, white, strongly scented
- Flowering time: June, July
- Fruits: almost black berries in autumn
- Toxicity: leaves, bark, berries (seeds)
- Winter hardiness: high (except non-native species)
- Use: hedge plant, topiary, single shrub, bonsai
Undemanding shrub for hedge planting
Privet grows in almost every location. It just can't tolerate complete shade and waterlogged soils. Exposure to dust, as is often the case in the city, doesn't bother him much.
Privet is therefore often planted as a hedge. But it can also be easily cared for as a single shrub or in a pot.
Very growth-friendly and tolerates pruning
Privet is very fast growing. The shoots can grow up to 50 cm per year. In order for it to branch well, 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 described or even sold as evergreen. That is not correct. The shrub sheds its leaves 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.
Planting privet or cherry laurel
For ecologically conscious gardeners there is no question. Local privet is the better alternative from an environmental perspective. Cherry laurel is not a native plant species and is therefore not accepted by local wildlife.
Tip
The leaves of the privet serve as food for the privet moth, a moth. The flowers are visited by bumblebees, butterflies and other insects. Birds love the almost black berries.