This vigorous, oval leaf privet makes a crisp, pollution-tolerant hedge for an urban or surburban site. The small, oval, bright green leaves provide dense cover, and clusters of white flowers appear in July and August followed by shiny, spherical, black fruit. Thriving in sun or shade, the lustrous, dark green foliage provides an evergreen backdrop for ornamental and feature plants. If grown as a hedge and kept pruned, it is unlikely to flower.

What to know
- Position: Full sun or partial shade
- Soil: Any well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Fast-growing
- Flowering period: July and August
- Hardiness: Fully hardy
- Eventual Height
- 60cm

Garden care:
Plants grown as free-standing specimens require minimal pruning
- where necessary remove any misplaced or diseased branches in late-winter or early spring. Trim hedging plants twice yearly
- in May and August. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant.