box leaf privet

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

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.

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

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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. It responds well to trimming and forms a tidy attractive hedge with minimal effort. Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' is easy to grow, tolerant of a range of conditions, and highly valued for its reliability, fast growth, and low maintenance nature.

Buy Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

From $24.23

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

Lonicera nitida

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Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle) is a dense, compact shrub valued for its small glossy leaves and excellent clipping response. Often used as a low hedge or topiary alternative to traditional box, it thrives in New Zealand conditions with minimal fuss. Its fine texture and neat growth habit make it ideal for structured gardens, borders, and foundation plantings. Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle) offers year round greenery and reliable performance in a wide range of landscapes.

Buy Lonicera nitida

From $24.23

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 2.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Topiary

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Bergenia, Buxus, Ficus, Ligustrum, Lonicera, Pyrus, Sarcococca Tilia and Westringia, or related Categories - Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Flowering Pears.

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.