Ligustrum ovalifolium – Privet

Native to Japan, one may confuse this plant as an indigenous species to the British Isles as it is has been used in such abundance. It is the most commonly used hedging plant in cultivation in the UK and could be described as an archetypal suburban shrub.

The shrub is most often clipped neatly and used as hedging. However when left unclipped, it can produce an abundance of white flowers, appearing in mid summer. These flowers produce a pungent smell, considered unpleasant to some. Each flower consists of four curled back petals, with two red or yellow anthers. Its fruit are small purple/black coloured and grow in clusters, they are eaten by many bird species but are poisonous to humans. Some plants may produce thousands of fruits if conditions are favourable.