Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
Semi-evergreen hedge plant with dark green leaves and masses of small, strong-smelling flowers in summer, followed by black berries. Excellent butterfly plant - Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, and Peacock butterflies may hibernate in it - and bird plant. It is the food plant of the Privet Hawk, Swallowtailed, Lilac Beauty, Barred Toothed Striped, Yellow Barred Brindle, Small Bloodvein, Coronet, White Letter, Black Hairstreak moth. Other butterflies - Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Hedge Brown. Bees love the flowers too. It is also fast-growing.
Leaves yield a yellow dye. Will tolerate exposed, windy conditions, coastal areas and chalky soil. It is also shade tolerant. Flowers also attract bees.
CAUTION - ALL PARTS ARE POISONOUS.