Ligustrum or privet laurel is the absolute gold standard in topiary and standard form trees and shrubs the exceptionally small and tight growing leaves create a dense network of stems making for easy cutting and shaping ligustrum in fact form the basis of the most exotic and stunning topiary creations yet also make wonderful standards lollipops and globes too as a better alternative to box buxusr very forgiving of all weathers they may lose an odd leaf in coldest winters but rec