privets

Privets are a group of shrubs and small trees in the genus Ligustrum, in the olive family Oleaceae. Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, they are widely grown around the world for their dense growth habit and versatility as ornamental plants, particularly as hedges and privacy screens.

Most commonly cultivated privets include Ligustrum vulgare (common privet), Ligustrum ovalifolium, Ligustrum japonicum, and Ligustrum lucidum. They vary in leaf retention, with some species evergreen and others deciduous in colder climates. They are frequently used in formal and informal landscapes and can be pruned to maintain shape.

Privets range from compact shrubs to tall trees. Leaves are opposite, simple, and usually entire, often glossy in evergreen species. In late spring to early summer, they bear panicles of small, white, tubular flowers that are frequently fragrant. Fruits are small drupes that ripen to black or purple.

They tolerate a wide range of soils and light conditions and are adaptable to pruning and shaping. Birds often disperse privet seeds after feeding on the fruit, enabling establishment in disturbed sites and, in some regions, naturalization.

Privets are valued for fast growth, drought tolerance, and reliability in both formal and informal landscapes. Regular pruning maintains hedges, screens, and topiary shapes. However, several privet species are considered invasive in parts of North America, Australia, and other regions, where they form dense thickets and displace native vegetation. They are also toxic if ingested by humans or animals, particularly the berries.