European Privet

(Ligustrum vulgare)

European Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)

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Ligustrum vulgare Native Range
Native Range
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Climate Requirements

• Precipitation 24" - 43"
• High Temp. 69°F - 80°F
• Low Temp. 27°F - 35°F

Summary

Ligustrum vulgare, commonly known as European Privet, is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and scrub areas across Europe, North Africa, and parts of West Asia. It typically grows to about 3 meters tall and is characterized by its dense, compact form. The creamy-white flowers, which bloom in mid-summer, are arranged in panicles 3–6 cm long and emit a strong, pungent fragrance that some find unpleasant. The flowers give way to small, glossy black berries, each 6–8 mm in diameter, which are poisonous to humans but a food source for birds like thrushes that aid in seed dispersal.

European Privet is valued for its hardiness and is often used in hedgerows, urban plantings, and as a border shrub. It is adaptable to a range of conditions, performing well in full sun to part shade and requiring medium water. It thrives in soils with medium to slow drainage. While it is the only native privet in the British Isles, particularly in southern England and Wales, it is considered potentially invasive in other regions including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and has fully naturalized in Mexico and Argentina.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub
  • Height: 10-15 feet
  • Width: 8-15 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: White
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous, Semi-deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hedges, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands, forest edges, and scrub areas across Europe, North Africa, and parts of West Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Wild Privet, Common Privet, Privet, Privet-Hedge, Gewone Liguster, Almindelig Liguster, Liguster, Gewöhnlicher Liguster, Alheña, Ligustro

Scientific Names: Ligustrum vulgare, Ligustrum vulgare f. lodense, Ligustrum lodense, Ligustrum sempervirens, Ligustrum occidentale, Ligustrum vulgare var. vulgare, Ligustrum insulense, Ligustrum vulgare f. xanthocarpum, Ligustrum vulgare var. auriflorum, Ligustrum vulgare var. chlorocarpum

GBIF Accepted Name: Ligustrum vulgare L.