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Phillyrea angustifolia f. rosmarinifolia

rosemary-leaved mock privet

A dense and compact evergreen shrub to 1.5m tall, with narrowly linear, dark green leaves. In early summer it produces small, creamy-white flowers, which although insignificant are pleasantly fragrant. A good plant for hedging or topiary

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Cream White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Oleaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Phillyrea are evergreen shrubs with simple, opposite, leathery leaves and small, often fragrant white flowers, followed by purple to black berries

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N Africa & S Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens
Pruning

See pruning group 1 or pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to Phillyrea whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility

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