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Smell the Privet?

Privet hedge was introduced in the United States in the 1700s as an ornamental shrub.  Apparently, its habits were not well known then.


Privet is more invasive than kudzu, because it can adapt to any light conditions.  It will kill off native plants and  wildflowers growing around it, so it has become the bane of gardeners.  You could spend the whole summer getting rid of it, then a bird deposits a seed and you have to start all over again.

It is in full bloom here now, and the smell mixes with the honeysuckle.  It is glorious, unless you have allergies, in which case you are stuffed up so much, you can't smell anything.  Bees flock to the blossoms, which turn into blue berries that the birds love in the fall. 


I love birds, and birds love privet, so it would seem that I would love privet.  Uh, no.  Privet hedges are the bullies of the plant world, and I see no way to ever rid ourselves of it.  We might as well enjoy the aroma while we are fussing about it.

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