Phillyrea angustifolia Green Ball - Mock Privet

The Phillyrea angustifolia Green Ball is a perfect variety to replace boxwood thanks to its compact, dense and stocky habit and its narrow leaves. This well-branched plant from the base is adorned in spring with small nectar-rich flowers, and in autumn with berries resembling small olives, sought after by birds. This selection of the shrub called Filaria or Filaire, which is found in the garrigue and southern hills, related to the olive tree, is also hardy and extremely undemanding. In dry soil, this shrub is ideal for creating a hedge or the persistent structure of the garden. It also perfectly tolerates sea spray and resists winter cold and frost down to -15°C (5°F).

Filaria is an evergreen shrub of the olive family, related to the olive tree and Osmanthus, native to the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East. In France, it is found in the undergrowth that covers rocky hills, often associated with the holm oak, anchored in the rocks, but not disdaining more clayey and suffocating soils. Like the holm oak, it extends further north to the southwestern departments, for example in the Lot. There are two species, Filaria angustifolia and F. latifolia. Their natural hybrid called Filaria (x) media can take on variable aspects. The Phillyrea angustifolia Green Ball naturally forms a stocky and compact bush, reaching 1m (3ft) in all directions at maturity. Its growth is quite slow in poor soil, a little faster in deep and more fertile soil. It bears bronze young shoots that become narrow and elongated, leathery leaves, 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) long and 1 cm (0in) wide, a fairly deep green on the upper side, paler and felty underneath. They are slightly glossy. Flowering takes place from March to May depending on the regions. The flowers are quite discreet, not exceeding 1 cm (0in) and are a slightly greenish creamy-white. Gathered in small clusters in the axils of the leaves, they are slightly fragrant and nectar-rich. Flowering is followed by the formation of fruits called drupes containing a non-edible stone. They turn a blackish-blue colour in autumn when ripe. This shrub can live for many years in poor, dry soil.

Really easy to grow, Filaria Green Ball only fears very cold winters, especially when young. As it does not fear sea spray, it can be adopted without reservation by the sea, especially in a windbreak hedge. Like Pistacia lentiscus, viburnum tinus, strawberry trees, myrtles and Rhamnus alaternus, it is perfect for creating a free hedge or the persistent structure of the garden. These Mediterranean shrubs even tolerate shade and root competition. Also grow this filaria in the undergrowth, alongside bear's breeches, bupleurum, or Choisya ternata. It tolerates repeated pruning very well, and can be used in topiary art to sculpt original shapes into its foliage.