Ligustrum vulgare (Wild Privet, also sometimes known as Common Privet or European Privet), is a species of Ligustrum native to central and southern Europe, north Africa and southwestern Asia, from southern England and southwestern Sweden south to Morocco, and east to Poland and northwestern Iran. 

Growing Details:

Common Name: Wild privet

Genus: Ligustrum

Species: vulgare

Skill Level: Beginner

Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade

Hardiness: Hardy

Soil type: Well-drained/light, Acidic, Chalky/alkaline

Height: 3m

Spread: 2m

Spacing: 3 Plants Per Metre

Description:

It is a semi-evergreen or deciduous shrub, growing to 3 m (rarely up to 5 m) tall. The stems are stiff, erect, with grey-brown bark spotted with small brown lenticels. The leaves are borne in decussate opposite pairs, sub-shiny green, narrow oval to lanceolate, 2-6 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm broad. The flowers are produced in mid summer in panicles 3-6 cm long, each flower creamy-white, with a tubular base and a four-lobed corolla ('petals') 4-6 mm diameter. The flowers produce a strong, sweet fragrance that many people find unpleasant. The fruit is a small glossy black berry 6-8 mm diameter, containing one to four seeds. The berries are poisonous to humans but readily eaten by thrushes, which disperse the seeds in their droppings.