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HerbNET - Magazine - Profile of Privet
Family: Oleaceae
Names: wild privet, common privet, prim; Aligustre, Common Privet, European Privet, Golden Privet,
Kurtbagri, Priveterinary; Liguster (Swedish); Liguster (Norwegian); Almindelig Liguster (Danish);
Aitalikusteri (Finnish); Liguster, Rainweide (German); Troène vulgaire (French)
Description: Densely branched deciduous shrub up to 12 feet with smooth leathery oval pointed leaves and
short spikes of white strong-smelling flowers in early summer, followed by small black or yellow shiny berries.
Grows wild in scrubland and open woods, especially on chalk, and often cultivated as a hedging plant;
numerous attractive garden forms. It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower
from June to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are
pollinated by insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Cultivation: A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil that is not very
impoverished. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a calcareous soil and succeeds in thin dry soils.
Grows well in light woodland or the full shade of a wall but flowers and fruits best in a sunny position.
Tolerant of atmospheric pollution, once established they also tolerate drought but are intolerant of
water-logging. A suckering shrub, forming dense thickets and making good bird cover. An important
food plant for many caterpillars, including the larvae of the privet hawk moth. This species is notably
susceptible to honey fungus.
Sow the seed in spring in a cold frame. Stored seed germinates better if it is stratified. Remove any
fruit flesh from around the seed before it is sown since this can inhibit germination. When they are
large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold
frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early
summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in outdoor seed beds in the
autumn. Plants can be left to grow on in the seedbed for up to 4 years before planting them out into
their permanent positions in the winter. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August
in a frame. Very easy. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 30cm in a sheltered outdoor bed in
November/December. The cuttings can also be placed in situ if required. High percentage. Plant and
prune to shape in autumn. The leaves are harvested at any time during the growing season, the
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