Privet
Privet shrubs are so commonly used as a hedging plant that they are referred to as privet hedge. As a specimen plant, the privet is not particularly appealing, but they take to frequent shearing so well that they are used nearly exclusively for hedges.
Privet Ligustrum sinense Chinese Privet
Hardiness Zones: Zones 6-9
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Average water requirements.
Mature Height: 10-20 feet
Mature Spread: 6-10 feet
Shape: Densely compact and upright
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Preference: Prefers a moist well drained soil. Tolerant of alkaline soil and is generally quite adaptable other than in wet soil.
Foliage: Dark glossy green leaves
Blooms: Clusters of white flowers
Fruit: Clusters of tiny purple black fruits
Disease and Insects: May be susceptible to aphids, thrips and leaf spot
Fertilize: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring
Pruning: Prune immediately after blooming.
Although not particularly hardy, Chinese Privet can be a beautiful large shrub or pruned into a tree form. Southern parts of the US consider it an invasive “weed” plant as the fruits can be distributed by birds and widely propagated. So far the shrub has largely escaped cultivation but you may be able to find ‘Sunshine’, a golden chinese privet, a much smaller and only just a bit more well behaved privet. The Chinese Privets display a beautiful growth form, but of course be cautious in its use.
Privet Ligustrum vulgare ‘Cheyenne’
Hardiness Zones: Zones 4-8
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirements: Average to low water requirements. Drought tolerant.
Mature Height: 8-10 feet
Mature Spread: 6-8 feet
Shape: Densely compact and upright
Growth Rate: Fast
Soil Preference: Prefers a moist well drained soil. Tolerant of alkaline soil and is generally quite adaptable other than in wet soil.
Foliage: Dark glossy green leaves
Blooms: Clusters of showy white flowers
Fruit: Clusters of tiny purple black fruits
Disease and Insects: May be susceptible to aphids, thrips and leaf spot
Fertilize: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring
Pruning: Prune immediately after blooming.
‘Cheyenne’ is the most cold hardy of the privet shrubs and is very adaptable. Prune or shear heavily or leave it to grow natural, it is not bothered either way. If you prune ‘Cheyenne’ after blooming you may get few if any fruits. Left to grow naturally ‘Cheyenne’ will form a tall dense privacy or wind screen, loaded with fragrant blooms in spring for the butterflies and fruits in winter for the birds.
Clusters of white blooms appear in early summer and are sweetly fragrant. Leaves are a rich glossy green and turn yellow in autumn. Leaves will cling into early winter.
Privet Ligustrum vulgare Common Privet
Hardiness Zones: Zones 5-8
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirements: Average to low water requirements. Drought tolerant.
Mature Height: 12-15 feet
Mature Spread: 10-12 feet
Shape: Densely compact and upright
Growth Rate: Fast
Soil Preference: Prefers a moist well drained soil. Tolerant of alkaline soil and is generally quite adaptable.
Foliage: Dark green leaves
Blooms: Clusters of showy white flowers
Fruit: Clusters of tiny purple black fruits
Disease and Insects: May be susceptible to aphids, thrips and leaf spot
Fertilize: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring
Pruning: Prune immediately after blooming.
White flower clusters at the ends of branches are abundant in early to midsummer, but have what some consider an unpleasant scent. Fruits ripen to glossy purple-black and persist through winter for nice interest. Common privet is very tolerant of windy conditions which is ideal for a screening hedge. Can reach 12-15’ high and 10-12’ wide if left unpruned. For a hedge you may want to prune a couple of times each year.
Common Privet is semi evergreen, but will not likely be evergreen in Northern climates. Excellent choice for dense hedging whether pruned or natural. A rather dense thicket may form and may need root pruning to control. Butterflies are attracted to the blooms.
Privet Ligustrum x vicaryia ‘Golden Vicary’
Hardiness Zones: Zones 5-8
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Average water requirements.
Mature Height: 6-12 feet
Mature Spread: 8-10 feet
Shape: Densely compact and upright, vase like shape
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Preference: Prefers a moist well drained soil but is very adaptable
Foliage: Bright golden yellow in full sun
Blooms: Clusters of creamy white flowers
Fruit: Clusters of tiny purple black fruits
Disease and Insects: May be susceptible to aphids, thrips and leaf spot
Fertilize: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring
Pruning: Prune immediately after blooming.
When grown in full sun ‘Golden Vicary’ will display a golden yellow foliage, but will be a lighter green in part shade. This is the first non-invasive Privet, ideal for homeowners looking for well behaved, low maintenance hedges, screens and border plantings. The creamy white flowers have what some consider fragrant, some an unpleasant scent when they appear in late spring. In early summer the blooms mature to small dark fruits, which contrast so beautifully against they golden foliage.
This privet of course can be pruned, but is at it's best appearance when left unpruned. Unpruned this privet will generally mature to 8 or 10 feet high and wide. ‘Golden Vicary will tolerate windy conditions.
Privet Ligustrum vulgare ‘Lodense’
Hardiness Zones: Zones 4-8
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Average water requirements.
Mature Height: 4 feet
Mature Spread: 4 feet
Shape: Densely compact and upright
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Preference: Prefers a moist well drained soil. Tolerant of alkaline soil and is generally quite adaptable other than in wet soil.
Foliage: Dark glossy green leaves
Blooms: Clusters of showy white flowers
Fruit: Clusters of tiny purple black fruits
Disease and Insects: May be susceptible to aphids, thrips and leaf spot
Fertilize: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring
Pruning: Prune immediately after blooming.
‘Lodense’ is a compact dwarf privet growing to only 4 feet. It is the preferred choice in Northern Climates for hedging due to great hardiness and compact growth. Moderate growth rate also lends the shrub well to foundation plantings or along a fence behind a colorful border garden.
Spring blooms are lightly fragrant in late spring and into summer. Black berries are formed in late summer and are a favorite of birds. ‘Lodense’ is quite tolerant of urban conditions and is very easy to care for.