Phillyrea latifolia var. media

Mock privet is an evergreen shrub or small tree from the olive family which has been a subject of many trials in our C.E. continental climate. We have noticed that in the changing climate many plants from this family are exceptionally suited for milder parts of our country. Sufficient hardiness is an important feature, however, current lack of water in the ground and less rain make drought-tolerant plants like this one a desirable species even here.

Large-leaved mock privet is possibly the key feature of so-called macchia vegetation found in dry and hot, rocky slopes of South Europe. They cope extremely well with long-lasting drought and are usually unattacked by wild animals. This mock privet is called large-leaved just to be differed from its close relative narrow-leaved mock privet (phillyrea angustifolia) but do not expect anything like a bull bay leaf. Moreover, media is a selection, not a true variety, whose leaves are larger than those on p. angustifolia but smaller than on p. latifolia.

Media mock privet bears evergreen, opposite, 3-4 cm long, broadly elliptic, very dark green, leathery, and glossy leaves. In mid or late spring appear profusion if tiny, insignificant, creamy white flowers followed by small, blue-black, spherical fruit which recalls tiny balls of black pepper when fully mature.

Its habit is best described by one of its common names – a broccoli tree. Young plants grow fast and unevenly into upright shrubs and slow down with age as they get some three meters tall. Then they begin to form very dense, almost congested canopies with stiff, upright branches. Plants are commonly pruned in spring in order to achieve this shape sooner, or clipped to mushroom heads or ball shapes where a second trimming is required in midsummer. Use it as a beautiful small specimen tree in Mediterranean-style landscape.

Grow it in extremely well-drained, humus-rich soil in full sun or only very light shade. Acidic soil enhances the depth of green colour in leaves but is not essential. Just avoid compacted or water-logged ground where the roots may suffer. It will need even moisture after transplanting but once established stay away from watering. It is disease free and only wine weevils like it. We have tested and confirmed it hardy to USDA zone 6 so far as it has withstood short spells of -24 °C without any injury. Choose older plants for growing in zone 6 and provide good mulch for winter.

Last update 07-10-2021