PHILLYREA ANGUSTIFOLIA

Botanical Name: Phillyrea angustifolia
Common Names: Narrow-leaved Mock Privet, False Olive, Aladierno de hoja estrecha
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates sandy, rocky, and calcareous substrates
Water Needs: Low; drought-tolerant once established
Foliage: Narrow, lance-shaped, evergreen dark green leaves with a dense growth habit
Flowers: Small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers appearing in spring
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate

Uses:

Ornamental Plant:
Phillyrea angustifolia is valued for its fine-textured foliage and compact structure, making it perfect for hedges, borders, and Mediterranean gardens.

Xeriscaping:
An ideal choice for low-water-use landscapes and coastal gardens, thriving with minimal care.

Screening or Topiary:
Its dense growth and evergreen nature make it suitable for privacy screens or topiary forms.

Benefits:

Drought Tolerance: Excellent performance in hot, dry climates with little supplemental watering.

Low Maintenance: Pest-resistant, hardy, and long-lived, requiring only light pruning to maintain shape.

Fragrance and Pollinator Attraction: Spring flowers are subtly fragrant and attract bees and pollinators.

Evergreen Structure: Provides year-round greenery and a natural, elegant appearance.

Versatile Design: Suitable for formal hedges or naturalistic planting schemes.

Phillyrea angustifolia is a resilient, evergreen shrub that combines subtle beauty, aromatic blooms, and excellent drought resistance. Its structured form and minimal maintenance needs make it ideal for Mediterranean and sustainable garden designs.