Tips for growing Privet

One of the most common species of privet is the Ligustrum vulgare, or wild privet. This plant is native to Europe and has been widely introduced to other parts of the world, including North America. Wild privet is often used as a hedge plant due to its dense growth habit and ability to thrive in a variety of soil types. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and is tolerant of pruning, making it easy to maintain as a hedge.

In addition to its use as a hedge plant, privet has a number of other uses. The leaves and berries of some species of privet are toxic and have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Privet is also used as a natural insect repellent, as its leaves give off a strong, unpleasant smell when crushed.

Despite its many uses, privet has also been classified as an invasive species in some parts of the world. It has a tendency to spread aggressively and can out-compete native plants, leading to habitat loss for local wildlife. In order to prevent the spread of invasive privet, it is important to plant only non-invasive varieties and to carefully manage and control the growth of existing plants.

What you should know to help ensure success when growing privet:

• Choose the right location: Privet prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but will perform best in rich, moist soil.
• Planting: Privet can be grown from seed, but it is more commonly propagated by rooting softwood cuttings or by layering. When planting, be sure to space the plants according to the mature size of the variety you are growing.
• Watering: Privet is drought-tolerant once established, but will benefit from regular watering, especially during prolonged dry spells.
• Fertilizing: Privet is not particularly demanding when it comes to fertilization, but a slow-release balanced fertilizer can be applied in the spring to promote healthy growth.
• Pruning: Privet can be pruned at any time of year to control its size and shape. It responds well to pruning and can be trimmed into a formal hedge or left to grow naturally.
• Pests and diseases: Privet is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it can be affected by aphids, scale, and whitefly. If you notice any problems, treating with an appropriate pesticide or natural remedy can help control the issue.

Privet is a hardy plant that can grow in a wide range of climates, but it is best suited to temperate regions. In the United States, privet can be grown in plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. This means that it can tolerate temperatures as low as -30°F (-34°C) in zone 4 and as high as 30°F (-1°C) in zone 9.

It is important to choose a privet variety that is well-suited to your local climate. Some species and cultivars are more cold-hardy than others, so it is a good idea to do some research to find a variety that will thrive in your area.

If you live in a region with cold winters, you may want to consider a cold-hardy privet variety. Some examples of cold-hardy privet species and cultivars include:

• Ligustrum vulgare ‘Atrovirens’: This cultivar of wild privet is one of the hardiest varieties, able to tolerate temperatures as low as -30°F (-34°C). It is an upright, fast-growing plant with glossy green leaves and white flowers. It is an upright, fast-growing plant that can reach a height of 20 feet. It has a dense, full growth habit. Hardiness zones 4-9
• Ligustrum x ibolium ‘Aureum’: This cultivar of European privet is also known as golden variegated privet. It has yellow-edged green leaves and white flowers, and is hardy to -20°F (-29°C). It grows at a moderate rate and can reach a height of 15 feet. It has a dense, full growth habit. Hardy in zones 5-9
• Ligustrum x ibolium ‘Park Farm Hybrid’: This cultivar is a hybrid of European privet and Japanese privet. It is known for its fast growth rate and is hardy to -10°F (-23°C). It has dark green leaves and white flowers. It has a fast growth rate and can reach a height of 20 feet. It has a dense, full growth habit. Zones 5-9.
• Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’: This cultivar of Japanese privet is also known as waxleaf privet. It is a slow-growing plant with small, glossy green leaves and white flowers. It is hardy to -10°F (-23°C). It has a slow growth rate and can reach a height of 8-10 feet. It has a dense, full growth habit. Zones 7-9

Privet is a plant species that includes both deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees. Some privet varieties have thorns, while others do not. Here are a few examples of privet varieties that are known to have thorns:

• Ligustrum vulgare: This species of privet, also known as wild privet or common privet, is a deciduous shrub that is native to Europe. It has a dense, rounded growth habit and can reach a height of 8-15 feet. It has small, white flowers and green leaves, and it is known for its thorns, which are located along the branches.
• Ligustrum sinense: This species of privet, also known as Chinese privet, is a deciduous shrub that is native to China. It has a dense, rounded growth habit and can reach a height of 8-15 feet. It has small, white flowers and green leaves, and it is known for its thorns, which are located along the branches.
• Ligustrum japonicum: This species of privet, also known as Japanese privet or waxleaf privet, is an evergreen shrub that is native to Japan. It has a dense, rounded growth habit and can reach a height of 8-15 feet. It has small, white flowers and green leaves, and it is known for its thorns, which are located along the branches.

It is important to note that not all varieties of privet have thorns. Some cultivars of privet have been developed specifically to be thornless. Some examples include:

• Ligustrum vulgare ‘Leucanthum’: This is a cultivar of the common privet and has creamy white flowers in the summer and a dense growth habit. It’s a fast-growing and hardy shrub, which makes it a popular choice for hedging.
• Ligustrum ovalifolium ‘Aureum’: This cultivar of the California privet has golden-yellow leaves that turn green as the season progresses. It’s a slower-growing than ‘Leucanthum’ but still makes a great hedge plant.
• Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’: This Chinese privet cultivar has yellow-green leaves and is often used as a hedge or accent plant. It’s a hardy shrub that can tolerate partial shade.
• Ligustrum japonicum Texanum: It’s a slow-growing, small evergreen tree or large shrub with a dense, upright habit and glossy, dark green leaves. It is a popular hedge and ornamental plant.
• Ligustrum japonicum ‘Rotundifolium’: A small evergreen tree, also is a slow growing as previous one , with a dense, rounded habit and glossy, dark green leaves. It is also used as a hedge and ornamental plant and considered a thornless variety.

Please keep in mind that these are only a few examples, and that different growers may use different names for the same plants. When buying a privet, you should double check with the nursery whether the variety you’re interested in has thorns or not, to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for.

Also, it is important to consider the plant’s tendency to become invasive in your area. Invasive plants are those that have been introduced to an area outside of their native range and have the ability to spread rapidly and out-compete native plants for resources.

Ligustrum sinense and Ligustrum lucidum also known as Chinese privet and glossy privet, respectively, are two species that are particularly known for their invasive nature. They are native to China and were originally brought to the United States as ornamental plants. However, they have since naturalized and spread throughout the southeastern United States, where they form dense thickets that can crowd out native vegetation.

Ligustrum ovalifolium, also known as California privet, is also known to be invasive in certain areas in U.S. especially in the Pacific Northwest and some part of the Northeast

These invasive privet species are typically characterized by their fast growth rate, abundant seed production, and ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. They can quickly colonize disturbed areas such as roadsides, gardens, and abandoned properties and out-compete native plants for resources.

It’s important to note that in some regions these species may not be invasive at all, or may be well managed if used in landscaping, While still in other regions these invasive species can cause extensive ecological and economic damages. Therefore if you’re considering planting a privet hedge or ornamental privet, it’s important to check with your local authorities or gardening experts to find out whether any particular species of privet is considered invasive in your area.