What hardiness zones is Ligustrum vulgare suitable for?

Ligustrum vulgare is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Ligustrum vulgare?

Ligustrum vulgare requires Full Sun.

How much water does Ligustrum vulgare need?

Ligustrum vulgare has Low water needs.

1 / 7

Deciduous Shrubs

Ligustrum vulgare

common privet

OleaceaeEurope, North Africa, western Asia

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 m)

Width8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 m)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Ligustrum vulgare is a dense, upright deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub reaching 8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 m) tall with a spread of 8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 m) if unpruned. Leaves are opposite, simple, lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, glossy dark green on the upper surface and paler beneath. Foliage is semi-evergreen in mild climates (USDA zones 7-8), holding through most winters; fully deciduous in zones 4-6. Terminal panicles of small, four-petaled white flowers, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, appear in June to July, with a strong musky-sweet fragrance. Flowers give way to glossy black berries, 0.25 inches (6-8 mm) in diameter, ripening in September to October and persisting through winter. Berries contain terpenoid glycosides and are mildly toxic if ingested. Birds consume and disperse berries, leading to prolific self-seeding and naturalization. Ligustrum vulgare is classified as invasive in multiple U.S. states, particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions, where it forms dense thickets that displace native understory vegetation. Growth rate is fast at 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) per year. Tolerates heavy shearing, pollution, poor soil, and a wide range of light conditions. Privet thrips, leaf miners, and honey fungus (Armillaria) are occasional problems.

Native Range

Native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, from the British Isles and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean and east to Iran. Occurs in hedgerows, woodland margins, scrubland, and calcareous grasslands. Widely naturalized throughout temperate North America, where it is classified as invasive in multiple states.

Suggested Uses

Historically used as a formal clipped hedge at spacing of 12-18 inches (30-46 cm). Functions as a screen, windbreak, or boundary planting. Tolerates heavy urban conditions including pollution, salt, and compacted soils. Due to invasive status in many regions, native shrub alternatives such as Ilex verticillata, Viburnum dentatum, or Myrica pensylvanica are increasingly substituted in new plantings. Not recommended near natural areas or riparian zones.

How to Identify

Identified by opposite, lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic leaves, 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long, glossy dark green above. Distinguished from Ligustrum ovalifolium by narrower leaves and a more deciduous habit in cold winters. Terminal panicles of small white flowers in early summer are followed by glossy black berries persisting through winter. Twigs are smooth, grayish-brown, with small raised lenticels.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 15'

Width/Spread8' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Small white flowers in terminal panicles, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, appear in June to July, lasting 2-3 weeks. Fragrance is strong and musky-sweet. Berries ripen to glossy black in September to October and persist through winter unless consumed by birds. Heavily sheared hedges produce fewer flowers and berries than unclipped plants.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 2-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysandchalksilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first growing season. Established plants are highly drought-tolerant and require minimal supplemental watering. Grows in full sun to full shade; denser habit and more flowers in full sun, but tolerant of considerable shade. Adapts to virtually all soil types, pH levels, and drainage conditions. Tolerates air pollution, road salt, and compacted urban soils. Monitor for and remove volunteer seedlings near natural areas, woodlands, and riparian zones. Check local invasive species lists before planting; classified as invasive in multiple U.S. states. Honey fungus (Armillaria) can be fatal; avoid planting in areas with known infection. Privet thrips may cause leaf distortion and silvering.

Pruning

Shear formal hedges 2-3 times per growing season from late spring through late summer (May through August). Hard renovation pruning to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) above ground is well tolerated and stimulates dense regrowth from the base. For informal specimens, prune once in late winter (February through March). Remove any damaged, dead, or crossing branches. Avoid late-season pruning after September, as new growth may not harden off before winter.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans