Privet or Hedge Plant
Ligustrum species. (OLEACEAE)
Planting and Growing Privet
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow privet or hedge plant in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, fruit and seeds of privet or hedge plant
- Growing conditions for privet or hedge plant
- When and where to plant privet or hedge plant
- How to plant privet or hedge plant
- How to shape, prune and control growth of privet or hedge plant
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of privet or hedge plant
- Landscape uses of privet or hedge plant
- Pest and disease control for privet or hedge plant
Growing Privet
About 50 species of medium- to slow-growing, dense, bushy, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, 6–40 ft. (1.8–12 m) tall, depending on species, with shiny, green or gold, oval leaves, 1–4 in. (25–100 mm) long, and tinged russet or brown in autumn.
Privet Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Fruit
Abundant tiny, fragrant, white flowers in late spring, in upright, grapelike clusters, to 5 in. (13 cm) long, with black, berrylike, seedy fruit in autumn.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 4–10, depending on species.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich–average. 6.0–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to partial shade. Space according to use.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep damp. Fertilize quarterly spring–autumn. Mulch, zones 4–8. Prune or shear after bloom. Protect tender species from frost in zones 4–7, sun in hot climates. Propagate by cuttings, division, grafting, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for borders, containers, hedges, massed plantings, paths, walls in cottage, formal, small-space, woodland gardens and landscapes. Best in mild, cool climates. Fruit attracts birds. Rust and leaf-spot susceptible; privet also succumbs to fatal honey fungus (Armillaria mellea).