Shrub · Oleaceae family
common privet
Ligustrum vulgare
In short a 10-second read
Common privet (shrub) grows to 3–4.5 m tall and 2.4–4.5 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in June; the flowers are white. Hardy to −34 °C.
× spread 2.4–4.5 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −34 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, loamy, sandy
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June · white
Pruning
hedge trimming (June–August)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −34 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does common privet flower?
In June; the flowers are white.
Does common privet tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does common privet need?
At maturity 2.4–4.5 m wide and 3–4.5 m tall; recommended spacing 300 cm.
Does common privet survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 13 expert sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (13)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Ligustrum vulgare
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Ligustrum vulgare
- Van den Berk Nurseries (NL), škôlkarsky katalóg — Ligustrum vulgare
- BfN (Bundesamt für Naturschutz) — Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertung
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Ligustrum vulgare
- Wikidata (CC0) — Ligustrum vulgare
- RHS - Ligustrum vulgare
- RHS - Mulches and mulching
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, EASIN
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