Wild Privet | Reserves and species

Scientific Name:

Ligustrum vulgare

Wild Privet is a common, semi-evergreen shrub of hedgerows, woodland edges and grassland scrub on well-drained calcareous soils. It is also commonly used for hedging in suburban gardens. White flowers appear from June through summer, and black berries ripen in autumn. Although the berries are extremely poisonous to humans, they are eaten by thrushes and other birds.

How to identify:

Wild Privet is identifiable by its small, oval, glossy, green leaves and smooth bark. Clusters of small white flowers appear at the ends of its twigs, and matt-black berries appear in the autumn.

Where to find it:

Widespread in England, Wales and southern Scotland. Whilst found in Northern Ireland it is an introduced species and almost entirely confined to planted field hedgerows.

How people can help:

Wild Privet is the main foodplant of the Privet Hawk-moth and also provides cover for small birds and other animals. To encourage wildlife into your garden, try planting hedges of native species - these will grow to provide food and shelter for everything from hedgehogs to hawk-moths. To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics:

Height: 3-5m

Conservation status:

Common.

Did you know?:

The closely related Garden Privet was introduced into the UK from Japan. It was widely planted as hedges and appears on waste ground where garden rubbish is thrown away.

Seasons:

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

When to see

Start date:

January

End date:

December

Image: