Border Privet (Ligustrum obtusifolium) is in the olive family family (Oleaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,859 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Border Privet: observations by month (U.S.)
About Border Privet
Ligustrum obtusifolium (border privet or Amur privet) is a species of privet, native to Japan, Korea and northeastern China (Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang). The species is considered invasive in parts of the United States. It has become very common in southern New England, the mid-Atlantic States, and the Great Lakes regions, with scattered occurrences in the South, the Great Plains, and Washington State.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Border Privet by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 410 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New York | 285 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Ohio | 218 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Maryland | 159 | May | May–Jun |
| New Jersey | 146 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Massachusetts | 101 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Virginia | 84 | May | May–Jun |
| Michigan | 61 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Illinois | 59 | June | May–Jun |
| Indiana | 56 | June | May–Jun |
| Missouri | 51 | May | May–Jun |
| Connecticut | 50 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Kentucky | 40 | May | May–May |
| West Virginia | 26 | June | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| Delaware | 14 | May | May–Jun |
| District of Columbia | 13 | May | May–May |
| Maine | 10 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 9 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 8 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Tennessee | 7 | May | May–May |
| Iowa | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Vermont | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Wisconsin | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Arkansas | 5 | May | May–May |
| Kansas | 5 | May | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (olive family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Border Privet?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Border Privet most often seen?
The most observations come from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio.