Tough, lime-tolerant, Ligustrum vulgare is deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen and has long been used as a hedging plant for fields, particularly in Northern Ireland. It’s a medium-sized shrub with a bushy habit and dull-green, lance-shaped leaves. In summer, pretty panicles of tiny white flowers appear at the tips of the branches; these are scented, although most people don’t care for it. These are followed by small, shiny, purplish-black berries in autumn. Wild privet is particularly good for wild-life, providing evergreen cover for nesting birds, good pollen and nectar for insects and berries for birds; it’s also the main food-plant of the privet hawk-moth. It’s good for hedging, as it clips very well, or it can be grown as part of an informal, wild-life-friendly hedge in wilder gardens. Be aware that it’s slightly toxic to pets and livestock, although they usually leave it well alone. Debated whether truly native or not. Site: Tolerates exposure, including coastal exposureSoil: Any well-drained soil; good on limestone soilsPosition: Full sun or partial shadeSeason of interest: Most of the year, summer and autumn in particularHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 13’ (4m) Spread: 13’ (4m) if unclipped