Common Privet Ligustrum vulgare

This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered.  Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column.

Common privet, also called European privet, is a vigorous semi-evergreen shrub in the Oleaceae (olive) family native to Eurasia. The genus name, Ligustrum comes from the Latin word for privet.  The term vulgare, in Latin, means common and popular.

This shrub does best in clay, loamy and sandy soils that have good drainage.  Common privet tolerates full sun or partial shade very well.  Common privet is considered drought and pollution tolerant.  Common privet can grow up to 10 to 15 feet tall and spread up to 8 to 15 feet wide. The leaves are lance shaped, dark green and grow to 2.5 inches long.

The leaves are glossy, flowers are white and airy and followed by dark black fleshy berries that are enjoyed by birds.  Birds tend to spread the seeds around so prune off flowers immediately to avoid setting fruit. When pruning, keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on new growth.

Common privet is a popular choice for hedgerows and ornamental shrubs.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whiteflies, Japanese and ligustrum weevils, white peach scale, and privet rust mites are common insect problems.  Anthracnose, twig blight, cankers, powdery mildew, root rot are common disease problems.  Susceptible to copper deficiency.  It can be weedy in disturbed areas has escaped and naturalized in moist areas. It is listed as invasive in North Carolina by the North Carolina Native Plant Society (calling it a "Significant Threat") and NC State University's Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.