Overview
Ligustrum is a bushy, upright, vigorous shrubs in the genus Ligustrum, part of the Oleaceae family, with deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen foliage. Ligustrum grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include hedging and screens, wildlife gardens, cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens and flower borders and beds.
About
Ligustrum is a genus of shrubs in the olive family (Oleaceae) commonly grown for hedging and screens. Plants range from deciduous to fully evergreen and typically form multi-stemmed, upright specimens. Small clusters of white flowers appear in June to August. It tolerates a wide range of soils provided they are well drained.
About the genus
A privet is a flowering plant in the genus Ligustrum. The genus contains about 50 species of erect, deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, with a native distribution from Europe to tropical and subtropical Asia, and with one species each native to Australia and north Africa.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Ligustrum
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Ligustrum size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy, Upright, Vigorous
- Foliage
- Deciduous, Semi-evergreen, Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Hedging and screens, Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Ligustrum
- Propagation
- Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Privet aphid, Scale insects, Leaf-mining moths, Thrips
- Disease resistance
- Leaf spots, Honey fungus, Verticillium wilt
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Ligustrum?
Ligustrum prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Ligustrum need?
Ligustrum is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Ligustrum hardy in the UK?
Ligustrum has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Ligustrum?
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings.
More in the Ligustrum genus
- Ligustrum japonicum 'Coriaceum Aureum'
- Ligustrum japonicum 'Silver Star' (v)
- Ligustrum lucidum 'Golden Wax'
- Ligustrum obtusifolium var. regelianum
- Ligustrum strongylophyllum