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Ligustrum vulgare (wild privet)

At Heijnen Plants, we take pride in offering Ligustrum vulgare, commonly known as wild privet or common privet. This versatile species, indigenous to Europe, North Africa, and Southwestern Asia, is celebrated for its lush foliage and delicate white blossoms that emerge in the warmth of summer. A stalwart addition to any landscape, the common privet is esteemed for its ability to form dense hedges, providing a natural partition that exudes both beauty and privacy. Whether sculpted into formal topiaries or allowed to flourish naturally, Ligustrum vulgare stands as a testament to enduring horticultural elegance.

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
25-35cm a year

Growth rate
Once a year

Visual barrier
Quickly obscuring

Position
Shade, partial shade, sun

Maintenance
Low maintenance

2+ £8.05

50+ £7.65

100+ £7.45

200+ £7.25

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
40-60

Planting distance per meter
6

2+ £1.90

750+ £1.80

1,000+ £1.75

1,250+ £1.70

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
40-60

Planting distance per meter
6

2+ £8.65

50+ £8.25

100+ £8.00

200+ £7.80

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
60-80

Planting distance per meter
4

2+ £2.60

500+ £2.50

750+ £2.40

1,000+ £2.35

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
60-80

Planting distance per meter
6

2+ £12.85

50+ £12.20

100+ £11.90

200+ £11.60

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
80-100

Planting distance per meter
4

11.60

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £3.65

250+ £3.50

500+ £3.40

750+ £3.30

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
80-100

Planting distance per meter
6

2+ £25.70

50+ £24.45

100+ £23.80

200+ £23.15

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
100-125

Planting distance per meter
3

23.15

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £5.20

100+ £4.95

250+ £4.80

500+ £4.70

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
100-125

Planting distance per meter
5

2+ £30.95

25+ £29.40

50+ £28.65

100+ £27.85

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
125-150

Planting distance per meter
3

27.85

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £36.75

25+ £34.95

50+ £34.00

100+ £33.10

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
150-175

Planting distance per meter
2

33.10

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £48.45

25+ £46.00

50+ £44.80

100+ £43.60

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
175-200

Planting distance per meter
2

43.60

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

Ligustrum vulgare (wild privet)

The Ligustrum vulgare, commonly known as the wild privet, is a mainstay in gardens across its native range of Europe, North Africa, and Southwestern Asia. This hardy species is cherished for its versatility and ease of care, making it an excellent choice for both hedges and solitary garden specimens. Its ability to thrive in a range of light conditions and soil types, paired with its classic green foliage and white summer blooms, ensures that Ligustrum vulgare remains a popular choice among garden enthusiasts.

Key Features

The Ligustrum, or common privet, is celebrated for several key features that contribute to its appeal:

Vigorous Growth: With a growth rate of 25-35 cm per year, this hedge plant quickly establishes itself in the landscape.
Flowering: In the months of May and June, it boasts clusters of white flowers, adding a fragrant and aesthetic element to its foliage.
Year-Round Interest: Although deciduous, the Ligustrum vulgare maintains a moderate visual density, keeping your garden looking full throughout the seasons.
Winter Hardiness: It is exceptionally resilient to cold, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -28,8°C, falling within USDA zone 5a.
Low Maintenance: This species is undemanding when it comes to pruning, often requiring only one trim per year to maintain shape.

Tips

For those considering adding Ligustrum vulgare to their garden, here are some tips to ensure its success:

Planting Location: While tolerant of shade, partial shade, and sun, this privet will thrive with more sunlight.
Soil Requirements: It is adaptable to all soil types, provided they are well-drained.
Pruning Practices: To encourage denser growth and maintain desired form, prune once a year after the flowering period.
Propagation: Expand your privet collection by sowing seeds or using semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings, ensuring that you plant them in well-fertilized soil for optimal establishment.
Watering: While not drought-resistant, regular watering and mulching will help retain soil moisture and support healthy growth.

Ideal placement of a Ligustrum

This species flourishes in a variety of lighting conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and even in shaded locations, although the growth may be less vigorous in lower light. The plant is adaptable to all soil types, provided they are well-drained. It exhibits commendable winter hardiness, tolerating temperatures down to -26.1°C, suitable for USDA zone 5a. To ensure the best growth and health of the plant, positioning it in a spot that receives ample light and has well-drained soil will promote a lush and dense hedge.

Planting a Ligustrum

When planting Ligustrum vulgare with a root ball, it is best to do so outside of the frost periods, from autumn to spring. Ensure the chosen site accommodates its adaptability to sun, partial shade, or shade. The soil should be well-drained, accommodating for all types. Dig a trench deep enough to host the root ball and twice its width. Position the root ball in the trench, backfill with the excavated soil, and water thoroughly. This species is hardy in USDA zone 5a, tolerating temperatures down to -26.1°C. Regular watering after planting is recommended to encourage establishment.

Pruning a Ligustrum

Pruning of this species is a straightforward affair; it typically necessitates only one session per year. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring, before the onset of new growth. This timing ensures that the hedge retains its shape throughout the growing season and prevents the removal of the current year's flowers. However, if shaping is required or if the hedge becomes too dense, additional light pruning can be performed after the flowering period in summer to maintain its desired form and visual density.

Watering a Ligustrum

For Ligustrum vulgare, maintaining consistent soil moisture is essential, particularly during its establishment phase and in periods of drought. While this species is adaptable to various soil types, provided they are well-drained, it does not exhibit high drought tolerance. Regular watering will encourage a robust root system and contribute to a healthy, dense hedge. Overwatering, however, should be avoided to prevent potential root issues. Once established, Ligustrum vulgare becomes more resilient and can withstand occasional dry spells with less frequent irrigation.

Fertilising a Ligustrum

To ensure the robust health and dense foliage of wild privet hedging, a balanced approach to fertilization is key. It is recommended to apply a general-purpose fertilizer early in the spring to kickstart the growing season, and then again in mid-summer to sustain the hedging's vigorous growth and support its flowering and fruiting phases. The ideal fertilizer should be rich in nitrogen to promote lush green leaves, but balanced with phosphorus and potassium for overall plant health.

Avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to excessive growth, making the hedge more susceptible to damage in winter. Additionally, always water the plant thoroughly after applying fertilizer to help distribute the nutrients into the soil and reduce the likelihood of root burn. A consistent fertilizing schedule will contribute to the vitality and aesthetic appeal of the hedging.

The characteristics of a Ligustrum

One often overlooked attribute of Ligustrum vulgare is its adaptability to different soil types, provided the ground is well-drained. This species thrives equally well in sun or partial shade, making it a versatile choice for gardeners. Additionally, its root ball establishment allows for a relatively straightforward planting process. The dense foliage of the wild privet offers excellent privacy and sound reduction, enhancing outdoor living spaces with its lush greenery throughout the year.

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