Oval-leaved privet and Common yew are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Ligustrum ovalifolium 3 m × 2 m after 10 years
An undemanding hedging shrub with glossy dark green leaves that thickens up quickly, grows in almost any soil and copes well with city air. It keeps…
Taxus baccata 4 m × 2.1 m after 10 years
Its dense, dark green foliage makes a useful evergreen hedge or a clipped garden feature, even in shade. It tolerates pruning well, but eventually…
Oval-leaved privet is semi-evergreen, Common yew is evergreen.
Oval-leaved privet is cheaper: about €8.90 at the size usually planted, against about €19 for Common yew.
|
Feature
|
Oval-leaved privet
|
Common yew
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Hedge | Hedge |
| Size after 10 years | 3 m × 2 m | 4 m × 2.1 m |
| Ultimate size | 3–5 m × 2–4.5 m | 10–20 m × 8–15 m |
| Growth rate | Fast | Slow |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade, Shade | Full sun, Part shade, Shade |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous | Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic |
| Hardiness | down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7) | down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Semi-evergreen | Evergreen |
| Flowering | June–July, white | March–April, yellow, green |
| Water need | Medium | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Medium | Medium |
| Maintenance | Medium | Medium |
| Planting distance | 35 cm | 250 cm |
| For dogs | Toxic | Toxic |
| For cats | Toxic | Toxic |
| For children | Toxic (uncertain) | Toxic |
| Typical price | approx. €8.90 | approx. €19 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 8, 2026
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details