Close up.

It looks like Boxwood. (Buxus) And it has been extremely over-pruned. Or maybe I should say 'over-hacked'.

Linda

Thanks! I thought so. Many boxwoods look like this out here.

Looks more like a Ligustrum to me.

The leaves are too large to be boxwood. Appears to be Ligustrum japonicum, an extremely common foundation planting. It is often used in locations where shearing is a required maintenance routine, and actually adapts quite well to the practice.

If you look around, you will also see the same plant allowed to grow quite tall and limbed up to a tree form, often with multiple trunks.

Yes - I agree, Ligustrum, not Buxus.

Thank you!!

Actually, I've never seen berries on these locally.

If the plants are sheared they may not produce many fruits, plus the birds eat them.

Ligustrums that are continuously sheared will not be able to flower, therefore no berries.

I've heard Ligustrum japonicum preferred to as 'the Southern Lilac', in a nod to the bountiful clusters of white flowers. When allowed to grow and flower, they will bear plenty of small, blackish blue berries.

If I had to grow this plant, I'd have to keep the flowers pruned off. I think that they smell absolutely horrid and the pollen is enough to make non allergy prone people sneeze and cough.

Good to know! Thanks everyone :)