Ligustrum vulgare ‘Lodense’ – Domes

This is a selected form of common privet that is particularly dense in habit, thus the cultivar name, which is derived from ‘low’ and ‘dense’. The leaves are slender and dark green. In June and July, it carries panicles of white flowers that are attractive to butterflies and bees, followed in autumn by sprays of black berries for the birds. The green foliage can take on beautiful bronze colouration during the autumn, but this will revert to green in the spring. While it is hardy in the UK, it should be regarded as semi-evergreen as it can partially defoliate in a harsh winter, re-leafing with the change of season. 

It is perfect for low hedging, massed planting or for topiary and it will need little more than a tidy-up prune as it naturally only grows to 1m or so in both height and spread. An easy plant that is happy in most moist-but-well-drained soils including chalk but is remarkably drought tolerant once established. It thrives in sun and in light shade and in addition this amazing plant can tolerate salt spray and urban pollution.