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Buxus vs ligustrum
gardenman91
Posts: 429
in Plants
Evening all, another potentially silly question from me. Is there a defining difference between box and privet? From what I know box leaves are dark green and small though I don’t see a lot, or any privet where I am. Many thanks 
0
Posts
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/2579/Buxus-sempervirens/Details
and
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-privet-hedge/
If you get the soil preparation right and choose good, healthy plants both will make a fine hedge and box is particularly good for low, narrow hedging or topiary. However, box is increasingly susceptible to a disease called box blight and a caterpillar which can strip the plants of their leaves. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=851
What do you want them for? If it's for a hedge and it's exposed to sea winds there may be better plants to choose depending on aspect, exposure, soil etc..