Phillyrea media Green Up - Mock Privet

The Phillyrea angustifolia Green Up is an interesting selection for its upright habit, narrower and denser than that of the shrub called Filaria or Filaire found in garrigues and southern hills. Related to the olive tree but more discreet and modest, this plant is also hardier and undemanding. Elegant in habit, with narrow dark green leaves, Green Up also charms in spring with the fragrance of its small nectar-rich flowers, and in autumn with its berries resembling small olives, sought after by birds. In dry soil, this shrub is ideal for creating a hedge or the evergreen structure of the garden. An excellent alternative to boxwood and olive trees, it has no enemies, except for frost when it drops below -15°C (5°F)!

Filaria is an evergreen shrub belonging to 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 covering rocky hills, often associated with the holm oak, rooted in rocks but not shying away from clayey and suffocating soils. Like the holm oak, it extends further north to the southwest 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 forms. Green Up was selected for its distinctive habit, more upright than that of other filarias.

The Phillyrea angustifolia Green Up naturally forms a small tree with a single trunk, branching from the base, with a dense and oval crown. If left unpruned, it rarely exceeds 2m (7ft) in height and 1.50m (5ft) in spread. Its growth is quite slow in poor soil, a bit faster in deep and fertile soil. It bears bronze young shoots that become narrow and elongated leaves, leathery, 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) long and 1cm (1in) wide, a fairly deep green on the upper side, paler and velvety on the underside. They are slightly shiny. Flowering occurs from March to May depending on the region. The flowers are quite inconspicuous, not exceeding 1cm (1in) and are a slightly greenish cream color. Gathered in small clusters in the axils of the leaves, they are slightly fragrant and nectar-rich. The flowering is followed by the formation of fruits called drupes containing a stone, which are not edible. They turn blackish-blue when ripe in autumn. This small tree can live for many years in poor and dry soil.

Truly easy to grow, the Filaria Green Up only fears very cold winters, especially when young. As it is not afraid of sea spray, it can be adopted without hesitation by the seaside, especially in a windbreak hedge. Like Pistacia lentiscus, laurel-tin, strawberry trees, myrtles, and Rhamnus alaternus, it is perfect for creating a free hedge or the evergreen structure of the garden. These southern shrubs even tolerate shade and root competition. Also grow this filaria in the undergrowth, alongside acanthus, Bupleurum fruticosum, or Choisya ternata. As it tolerates repeated pruning well, it can be used in topiary art and shaped into original forms.