Phillyrea angustifolia (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Late spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 3m
Hardiness: 8a – 10b
Family: Oleaceae
Phillyrea angustifolia is a slow growing evergreen shrub. Its dark green leathery leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, up to 6cm long and 1cm broad. Its small white/ green fragrant flowers are hermaphrodite and appear in the leaf axils in small clusters. Its fruit is a black drupe which contains a single seed.
Phillyrea angustifolia, commonly known as the Narrow Leaved Phillyrea or Evergreen Privet, is native to the Mediterranean region.
The etymological root of the binomial name Phillyrea is from the Ancient Greek name for this pant. Angustifolia is derived from the Latin angustus meaning ‘narrow’ and folium meaning ‘leaf’’.
The landscape architect may find Phillyrea angustifolia useful as a shrub suitable for growing as a formal hedge. This shrub is tolerant of maritime conditions.
Ecologically, Phillyrea angustifolia is attractive to pollinating insects. The fruit of this shrub are attractive to some birds.
Phillyrea angustifolia Leaf (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Phillyrea angustifolia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Phillyrea angustifolia requires little maintenance. If pruning as a hedge, this shrub should be clipped during the summer.