This evergreen hardy shrub or small tree can grow up to 3 metres in height, but can easily be kept shorter by pruning. Privet is often only thought of as a hedging plant, but I grow mine as a free-standing shrub. I cut it back hard each spring, and the resulting growth is very long and straight - ideal for flower arrangements. This is such a useful shrub, and being a hardy evergreen, its foliage is available all year round.