Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

box leaf privet

Box leaf privet is a popular choice for New Zealand gardens, valued for its compact growth habit, neat foliage, and versatility in a wide range of landscaping situations. Whether you’re creating a low hedge, a tidy border, or an attractive formal shape, box leaf privet brings structure and year-round interest. With its small, box-like leaves and dense branching, this evergreen shrub is perfect for both residential and commercial settings where reliable greenery is needed.

Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide, though it is often kept smaller with trimming, which encourages new growth.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
ligustrum-rotundifolium-4

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

5 from 1 customers

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit. This versatile plant is widely used in NZ gardens for hedging, screening, and formal planting where year round structure and privacy are desired.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Buxus sempervirens perfectly manicured balls.
Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as English Box or Box Hedge, is a classic evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for formal hedging and topiary...

From$12.95
Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...

From$16.95
Buxus 'Silver Beauty' plant with dark green and yellow variegated foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty', commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and...

From$129.95
Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla) plants with lush green foliage.
Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage...

From$44.95
Haworthia mirabilis 'Triebneriana' plant.
Haworthia mirabilis triebneriana (Haworthia mirabilis var Triebneriana)

Haworthia mirabilis Triebneriana is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The light green leaves with dark green...

From$15.11
A Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus microphylla 'Freedom'

Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' is a fast-growing, evergreen box hedge variety popular in NZ gardens. It forms dense, bright green foliage that responds...

From$16.95
Buxus microphylla 'Independence'

Buxus microphylla 'Independence' is a superb compact box hedge variety loved for its fine foliage and dense, tidy growth. This hardy evergreen shrub...

From$16.95
haworthia-glabrata-
Haworthia Glabrata

Haworthia Glabrata is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The dark green leaves with silver lines have a rough...

From$17.87
Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (Golden Privet) yellow foliage.
Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum'

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (Golden Privet) is a bright evergreen shrub valued for its golden yellow and green variegated foliage. Well suited to...

From$24.77
westringia-aussie-box-
Westringia 'Aussie Box'

Westringia 'Aussie Box' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its dense bright green foliage, naturally rounded habit, and small white flowers that...

From$18.95
Haworthia resendeana plant.
Haworthia resendeana

Haworthia resendeana is a small succulent features thick and fleshy leaves on short stems. The dark green leaves have a rough texture and afford...

From$20.63
Westringia 'Grey Box' shrubs in garden with fine, grey-green foliage.
Westringia 'Grey Box'

Westringia 'Grey Box' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its soft grey green foliage, naturally dense rounded habit, and small white flowers...

From$18.95
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$27.53
A Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' tree.
Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves'

Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' is an ornamental pear admired for its vibrant autumn colour display. This deciduous tree produces lush green foliage through...

From$515.35
ligustrum-undulatum-
Ligustrum undulatum

Ligustrum undulatum (Box Leaf Privet) is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth, small glossy green leaves, and tidy rounded form. It...

OUT OF STOCK
Lonicera pileata shrub with small, green foliage.
Lonicera pileata

Lonicera pileata (Privet Honeysuckle) is a hardy, low growing evergreen shrub valued for its neat form and glossy foliage. It forms a dense...

OUT OF STOCK
ligustrum-vulgare--2
Ligustrum vulgare

Ligustrum vulgare (Privet) is a hardy deciduous to semi evergreen shrub valued for its dense branching, lush green foliage, and versatility in the...

OUT OF STOCK
Lonicera nitida hedge.
Lonicera nitida

Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle) is a dense, compact shrub valued for its small glossy leaves and excellent clipping response. Often used as a low...

OUT OF STOCK
Buxus microphylla 'Curly Locks' hedge.
Buxus 'Curly Locks' (Chinese Box Plant)

Buxus 'Curly Locks' features small, bright green leaves with a gentle curl. The leaves age to dark green and are held on short stems as it grows to...

OUT OF STOCK
hebe-chocolate-box-raspberry-truffle-
Hebe 'Chocolate Box Raspberry Truffle'

Hebe 'Chocolate Box Raspberry Truffle' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its colourful foliage, tidy growth habit, and year round garden...

OUT OF STOCK
teucrium-silver-box-1
Teucrium Silver Box

Teucrium 'Silver Box' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its attractive silver grey foliage and naturally dense, rounded habit. Its tidy growth...

OUT OF STOCK
Grevillea Tucker Time Fruit Box shrub with masses of pink flowers.
Grevillea Tucker Time Fruit Box (Tucker Time Fruit Box Grevillea)

Grevillea Tucker Time Fruit Box is an evergreen shrub featuring showy clusters of colourful flowers. The unusual flowers are pink and cream, and...

OUT OF STOCK
ligustrum-lucidum-
Ligustrum lucidum

Ligustrum lucidum (Tree Privet) is an evergreen tree with glossy green leaves, clusters of small creamy flowers, and dark berries. Although it was...

OUT OF STOCK
westringia-green-box-
Westringia 'Green Box'

Westringia 'Green Box' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense bright green foliage, naturally rounded habit, and small white flowers that...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Pandoras Box' plant with cream and green leaves.
Hosta 'Pandoras Box'

Hosta 'Pandoras Box' is a charming miniature hosta with striking variegated foliage featuring creamy white centres edged with deep green margins...

OUT OF STOCK
sarcococca-humilis-
Sarcococca humilis

Sarcococca humilis (Dwarf Sweet Box) is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its glossy green foliage, neat growth habit, and highly fragrant...

OUT OF STOCK
Sarcococca confusa plant with white flowers and lush green foliage.
Sarcococca confusa (Sweet Box)

Sarcococca confusa is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its glossy dark green foliage and highly fragrant white flowers that appear through...

OUT OF STOCK
ligustrum-sinense-
Ligustrum sinense

Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet) is a fast growing shrub or small tree with dense green foliage, fragrant white flowers, and dark berries. It was...

OUT OF STOCK
A stunning Calathea rufibarba (Velvet-Leaf Calathea) plant in a pot with lush green foliage.
Calathea rufibarba (Velvet-Leaf Calathea)

Calathea rufibarba, also known as Velvet Leaf Calathea or Furry Feather Calathea, is admired for its elongated, wavy green leaves with rich burgundy...

OUT OF STOCK
Banksia praemorsa purple flower and olive-green foliage.
Banksia praemorsa (Cut-Leaf Banksia)

Banksia praemorsa is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its dense foliage, distinctive flower spikes, and excellent tolerance of coastal...

OUT OF STOCK
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Haworthia, and Ligustrum, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs, and Succulents.

Search box leaf privet

What is Box Leaf Privet?

Box leaf privet, known botanically as Ligustrum undulatum, is an evergreen shrub with fine-textured, glossy green leaves and a naturally tidy growth form. As its name suggests, the leaf shape resembles that of a boxwood, but with the extra vigour and resilience of privet. In addition to its attractive appearance, this plant can tolerate a variety of conditions, from full sun to part shade, and is suitable for both coastal and inland gardens. If you’re interested in establishing a new hedge or want a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that thrives in New Zealand conditions, check out Ligustrum undulatum (Box Leaf Privet) among our nursery range.

Box Leaf Privet for Hedging and Topiary

One of the standout uses for box leaf privet is as a hedge plant. Thanks to its fast yet compact growth, it clips beautifully and responds well to regular pruning, making it ideal for formal hedges, neat borders, or even creative topiary shapes. If you want a low-maintenance, evergreen hedge with a refined look, box leaf privet outperforms many alternatives, staying lush and green throughout the year. Plant it close together for a seamless screen or use at garden entrances to frame pathways with style and sophistication.

Growing and Care Tips for Box Leaf Privet

Box leaf privet is renowned for its easy-care nature and adaptability. It grows well in most soils, provided there’s reasonable drainage, and tolerates periods of dryness once established. Full sun to partial shade suits it best, and it can tolerate wind and light frost—making it a dependable performer across New Zealand’s varied climate zones. Regular pruning not only keeps your hedge or shrub looking crisp, but also encourages the dense, bushy growth that box leaf privet is famous for.

Explore Related Privet Varieties

If you love the structured look of box leaf privet, you might also be interested in other Ligustrum species. Each has its own unique characteristics and garden uses. Discover the compact, glossy-leaved Ligustrum Rotundifolium (Ligustrum japonicum), the classic Ligustrum vulgare (Common Privet) for taller hedging, architectural Ligustrum lucidum (Tree Privet), and ornamental Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet) for informal screening.

Why Choose Box Leaf Privet for Your Garden?

If you’re seeking a reliable, evergreen shrub that delivers structure and style with minimal fuss, box leaf privet is a fantastic choice. Its combination of classic looks, resilience, and versatility makes it a firm favourite with New Zealand gardeners. Browse our collection, including Ligustrum undulatum (Box Leaf Privet), to find the right plant for your next landscaping project.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

463 Google reviews