Privet hedge plants are a popular choice for home gardens and landscapes. With their lush green foliage, quick growth, and ease of care, it’s no wonder privet hedges are a go-to option for hedges and screening. If you’re considering installing a new privet hedge, here is a complete guide to help you learn all about privet hedge plants and make the best choice for your needs.
What is a Privet Hedge?
A privet hedge refers to a tightly planted row of privet shrubs pruned into a continuous hedge. Privet is a genus of around 50-70 species of shrubs and small trees in the olive family. While privet species are native across temperate areas of Europe Asia and Africa, several privet species are popular hedging plants in North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
The most common types of privet used for hedging include
- Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare): A deciduous to semi-evergreen privet native to Europe and Western Asia. Grows 6-15 feet tall.
- California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium): An evergreen privet native to Japan and Korea and naturalized in parts of the southeastern U.S. Grows 10-15 feet tall.
- Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum): An evergreen to semi-evergreen privet native to Japan, Korea, and China. Grows 12-15 feet tall.
- Glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum): An evergreen privet native to China and naturalized in the southern U.S. Grows 20-30 feet tall.
Why Choose Privet for a Hedge?
There are several key reasons why privet is such a popular choice for hedging and screens:
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Fast growth: Privet grows rapidly, often gaining several feet in a single year. This allows the hedge to establish quickly.
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Dense foliage: Privet hedges form a thick, dense screen of foliage that blocks views and provides privacy.
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Pruning tolerance: Privet responds very well to pruning and shearing to shape the hedge.
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Versatile: Privet tolerates a variety of soil, light, and climate conditions.
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Low maintenance Once established, privet requires little care and maintenance
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Affordable: Privet plants are very reasonably priced, keeping installation costs low.
When to Plant Privet Hedges
Privet hedge plants can be planted in either spring or fall, depending on your climate:
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In mild winter climates, plant privet in fall or early winter.
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In cold winter climates, plant in early-mid spring once the danger of frost has passed.
Avoid summer planting as privet prefers the cool, moist conditions of spring and fall.
Spacing depends on the privet species, but plants are generally spaced 1-3 feet apart within the row. For a thicker hedge, plant in a double staggered row about 2 feet apart.
Caring for Privet Hedges
Caring for established privet hedges is quite simple:
Watering – Water regularly after planting until established. Mature privet is quite drought tolerant.
Fertilization – Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Pruning – Trim as needed in spring or summer to shape and maintain the hedge. For formal hedges, shear flat across the top and sides 1-2 times per year. Informal hedges can be trimmed less frequently.
Weeding – Keep the base of the hedge free of weeds, which compete for water and nutrients. Apply mulch around the base to help suppress weeds.
Pest/disease control – Privet is relatively pest and disease resistant. Occasional problems include scale, leaf spot, canker, and root rot in overly moist conditions.
Where to Buy Privet Hedge Plants
You can find privet plants at most plant nurseries and home improvement stores, often sold as bare root hedge plants in bulk quantities. Many online nurseries also sell privet hedge plants that can be shipped directly to your door.
When buying privet hedge plants, look for healthy young shrubs 12-24 inches tall sold as 1-2 year old plants. Avoid plants with dead branches, spots on leaves, or root problems.
The cost per privet shrub ranges from $5-15 depending on the size and type. Buying in bulk quantities can reduce the per plant cost.
Some top online sellers of privet hedge plants include:
- Green Thumbs Garden
- The Tree Center
- Fast Growing Trees Nursery
- Nature Hills Nursery
- Brighter Blooms
Design Inspiration for Privet Hedges
Privet hedges provide a clean, classic look that works in all different garden designs:
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Formal hedge – Tightly sheared privet hedges with flat tops and sides create crisp, formal garden edges. Underplant with tidy groundcovers like liriope or flowering bulbs.
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Informal hedge – For a softer look, allow privet to grow in its natural loose pyramidal shape and only trim occasionally. Combine with perennials and grasses.
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Evergreen backdrop – Plant a high privet hedge along the back of a garden bed or border to create an evergreen backdrop. Allow some glimpses through the hedge for added interest.
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Property divider – Use privet hedges to divide property lines and block unwanted views in a neighborly way. Leave some gaps to allow air circulation.
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Pool privacy – Surround pools, patios, and other private areas with a tall privet hedge screen for seclusion. Plant glossy privet for tropical flair.
With the right care and pruning, a privet hedge can provide decades of beauty, privacy, and garden structure. If you’re looking for an easy care, versatile hedge, be sure to consider privet hedge plants.
Price RangeMinMax
- Attracts Butterflies1
- Bird Friendly1
- Deer Resistant3
- Easy Care5
- Fall Color2
- Ornamental Berries1
- Spring Color4
- Summer Color2
- Tolerates Acidic Soil2
- Tolerates Alkaline Soil3
The Best Features of Privet Hedges
– Tough and reliable with many uses – Very easily grown in difficult locations – Attractive evergreen foliage – Scented cream flowers in summer – Easily managed as screens or hedges
Privet Hedges For Sale $1.89 Each at Tn Online Plant Nursery
FAQ
What is the best time to plant privet hedges?
The best time to plant privet hedges is typically Late Summer through to late Autumn or late Winter though to Spring. This allows the plants to establish their roots before the onset of higher temperatures or harsh weather conditions.
How fast do privet hedges grow?
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Hedging UKhttps://hedginguk.comPrivet Hedges | A guide to using Ligustrum Ovalifolium for a hedgeGreen Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) is a popular choice for hedging due to its dense foliage and fast growth rate. The specific growth rate can vary depending …
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PlantingTreehttps://www.plantingtree.comPrivet | Also Known as Ligustrum | Fast-Growing Evergreen ShrubHow Fast Do Privets Grow? Privets are fast growing evergreen shrubs. Japanese Privet can easily grow over 2 feet per year with no care. Even smaller types, like…
What are the disadvantages of privet hedges?
Privet can grow in all soil types, so they’re considered invasive. This plant is known to take over forested areas, taking over native plants and changing local ecosystems.
What is the best privet hedge to buy?
Evergreen Privet, Ligustrum ovalifolium, both the Green and variegated Golden varieties, are probably the most popular urban hedge plants. It grows in compacted, polluted soil next to roads, tolerates shade, can be clipped to make a smart formal look, and is low maintenance. It grows quickly and can be hard pruned.
What is a privet shrub?
Privet shrubs are known as hedges and are commonly referred to as privet hedges. They are used in landscaping. Privet hedges can be semi-green, deciduous, or evergreen; the differences are brought about by the variety you plant and the zone in which you stay.
Are privet hedges evergreen?
Privet hedges can be semi-green, deciduous, or evergreen; the differences are brought about by the variety you plant and the zone in which you stay. The common privet shrubs have a maximum height of 4 to 15 feet and a spread of 4 to 8 feet. This is a fast-growing shrub suitable for zones 5 to 8.
Can a privet be used as a hedge?
The shrub’s dense, dark, glossy green foliage makes it an excellent choice for hedges and privacy screens. If you’re interested in a hedge with a formal appearance, this privet tolerates shearing well. When you grow it as a hedge, shearing it early and often helps to develop thick layers of branches for year-round privacy.
What is a North privet hedge?
The North Privet Hedge (Ligustrum x ibolium) is America’s fastest growing deciduous hedge! They are typically used in large quantities to create a privacy screen that is absolutely unparalleled. Individually they tend to grow in a pyramidal shape, but with yearly shearing they can take on any shape your imagination can fathom.
Where do privet hedges come from?
All Privet Hedges belong to the plant group Ligustrum, and are sometimes called ‘Ligustrum’ as a common name. These plants are found in Europe, North Africa and Asia, but most garden plants come from Asian species. Although there are as many as 50 different species, only a few are grown in gardens.
Where can I buy Northern privet plants?
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Shop Northern Privet plants at Wholesale Nursery Co. Perfect for hedges and landscaping. Order high-quality plants online with fast shipping!