The short answer

Quick Answer

Privet thrives in full shade on chalky, clay soils (pH 5.5-8), well-drained soil. Reaches 1.5 to 3m if unclipped, normally kept at 1 to 1.8m as a hedge. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -15°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Main prune in late winter. Trim two or three times through the growing season

How: Shear to shape. For a thick hedge, taper sides so the top is narrower than the base

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Japan and Korea

Native or exotic: Exotic. The native wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is found in southern England chalk

History: Widely planted in UK suburban gardens from the 1920s onwards, especially on council housing estates

Folklore: Privet hedges were thought to keep out evil spirits if planted at the boundary of a property

Fun fact: The flowers, when allowed, are powerfully scented and attractive to moths in the evening

Historical medicinal uses: None. Leaves and berries are toxic to humans and livestock

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Excellent for moths and long-tongued bees when in flower [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 9 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Birds nest in dense hedges. Berries eaten by birds in autumn[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 White flower panicles in June to July if left unclipped[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Useful as a windbreak backdrop for more delicate shrubs behind

Pest control: Generally trouble free

Common diseases and issues: Leaf spot, powdery mildew, honey fungus. See RHS honey fungus advice

Invasive note: Self-seeds mildly in warm gardens. Berries spread by birds

CGM care note

A privet hedge that has got thin and leggy at the base will usually respond to a hard chop at 30cm in late February. We feed with growmore, mulch with compost, and within a season it is bushy again from the base.

CGM guides mentioning Privet

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Privet and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Privet

How Privet fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Yew (English Yew), suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Beech, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Hornbeam, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Cherry Laurel, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Escallonia, suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance
  • Berberis (Barberry), suitable for hedging, similar growth habit and pruning tolerance

Avoid planting beside

Similar alternatives

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Privet.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Privet are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Privet. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Ligustrum ovalifolium. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Oleaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Wallander E, Albert VA (2000). Phylogeny and classification of Oleaceae. American Journal of Botany, 87(12), 1827-1841.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Oleaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, pruning, seasonal_highlight.

  4. 4
    Hicks DM, Ouvrard P, Baldock KCR, et al. (2016). Food for pollinators: quantifying the nectar and pollen resources of urban flower meadows. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0158117.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 9/10 for Privet. The pollinator description above ("Excellent for moths and long-tongued bees when in flower") is consistent with this study's finding that plants in the high-nectar-yield category attract exceptional numbers of bees, butterflies, and moths. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Birds nest in dense hedges. Berries eaten by birds in autumn") is supported by the study's quantification of nectar resources during the mid-summer flowering period (Seasonal highlight: "White flower panicles in June to July if left unclipped"). Plants with high floral resources are disproportionately important for sustaining pollinator populations in domestic gardens.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 9/10 and the Pollinators description ("Excellent for moths and long-tongued bees when in flower"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Privet's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Birds nest in dense hedges. Berries eaten by birds in autumn") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Privet. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Privet's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Oleaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Privet. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Privet. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Privet. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Privet. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Privet. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Privet. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Privet. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Privet performs well locally

Towns where Privet is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

Possible with extra care

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