Border Privet
Ligustrum obtusifolium
Last reviewed: October 2026
Toxicity unknown
Border Privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
72"–180" H × 72"–144" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Pollinators
bees
Native alternatives to Border Privet
Border Privet is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Wondering what could grow where Border Privet is now? Upload a photo of the spot and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it replanted with natives for your region.
Border privet is a fast-growing deciduous shrub that forms dense, rounded masses up to 15 feet tall and wide. It produces clusters of small white flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by dark berries. This hardy shrub tolerates various growing conditions and can be pruned to maintain desired size and shape.
In an HOA neighborhood
Border Privet takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Non-native invasive species that spreads aggressively
- Can escape cultivation and displace native plants
Wildlife value
The flowers attract bees and other pollinators during its May-June bloom period. Birds feed on the small dark berries that follow the flowers.
Common questions
- How much sun does Border Privet need?
- Border Privet grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Border Privet bloom?
- Border Privet blooms in May and June.
- What pollinators does Border Privet attract?
- Border Privet draws bees.
- Is Border Privet HOA-friendly?
- Border Privet takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Border Privet? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.