Use a 15-5-10 fertilizer (or a fertilizer specifically for broadleaf shrubs) in the early spring. Parts of the privet plant, including the leaves and berries, are toxic to humans if eaten and can result in vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure and abdominal distress. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Ibolium privet is one of the fastest growing deciduous hedges, adding up to 3 feet per year during its early years, but it slows once it reaches maturity, typically achieving a height of 8 to 12 feet. More serious diseases include anthracnose and twig blight. We're renovating and preserving our family's 100 year old home place where we garden, complete a few DIY projects, and do some cooking. Landscape quality privets (Ligustrum spp.) If you are planting container plants, you can dig individual holes instead of a trench, making the hole several inches deeper and wider than the container holding the privet. Small, tubular flowers bloom on panicles in the early summer with a strong fragrance that some people dislike. Add a 3-inch layer of mulch to control grass and weeds and retain soil moisture. Mature shrubs have good drought tolerance but should be watered during an extended dry spell or during very hot weather to prevent the soil from completely drying out. The individual plant is non-descript, but when grown together it makes a good hedgerow plant. You will also need to fertilize your plants throughout the growing season (spring to fall). And apply another round of fertilizer in the fall, following label instructions. | Designed by MacDragon Web Design. Since 1995, Dean has written for such publications as "PB&J," Disneys "Family Fun," "ParentLife," "Living With Teenagers" and Thomas Nelsons NY Times bestselling "Resolve." In nature, though, privet propagates easily by seeds that are dispersed by wind and wildlife, which adds to the invasive nature of the plant. Privet is hardy to zone 4. Thanks for stopping by! Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. Privet has small fragrant flowers. Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Connecticut State. Amur River North is a tall privet variety that produces 2-inch long panicles of white flowers. Work the soil around the plants' roots and upward until surface level is reached. Privets typically grow well in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. A privet hedge (Ligustrum spp.) http://homeandlifestyledesign.blogspot.com. Keep the cuttings moist at all times. These plants also are tolerant to some salt in the soil, making them an option for planting sites near roadways that get salted in winter or near ocean spray. Read our. Glossy privet can reach up to 40 feet tall, while Golden Vicary privet (Ligustrum x vicaryi, USDA zones 5 to 8) typically tops out at around 6 feet, although it has been know to reach up to 12 feet. running along a property border is a classic look. Mark the location of each plant with a flag or string marker for easy reference. Privet Ligustrum. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. How to Grow and Care for Japanese Barberry, Goldflame Spirea: Plant Care & Growing Guide, Japanese Holly: Plant Care & Growing Guide, How to Grow Orange Jasmine in Your Home Garden, Hardy Kiwi Vine Lets You Harvest Kiwiberries in Cold Climates, Indian Hawthorn: Plant Care & Growing Guide. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Common Privet. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. And they can handle a soil pH ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, though they prefer a roughly neutral pH. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Thus, they cant provide year-round privacy as a hedge. Privet plants are attacked by a number of diseases such as blight and powdery mildew. What can I plant as a hedge instead of privet? Privet is mostly used grouped together as a hedge plant to define a neighbors boundary, block an unsightly view or provide structure to a garden. Determine how much space you have available for your privet hedge. Introduced privet species such as Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) or Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) are invasive when they are the only shrub growing in a location. Privet also produced black berries and these berries are eaten by birds and spread throughout the landscape, making this an invasive plant in some areas. This will allow light to reach the bottom of the hedge and prevent the lower branches from dying off due to shading. Unlike in nature, starting privet from seed is is quite involved; the seeds need stratification under controlled conditions. The fruits and leaves of privet are toxic to humans and pets. Trenching is a good method for planting bare-root privets. Dig a trench the length of your string line. These shrubs tolerate a variety of soil types as long as the soil has sharp drainage. Sun will bring out the best color in the foliage. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. Gently press the cutting into the soil and press it down. The growth rate of privets can vary so make sure to pick a variety that wont overwhelm your yard. Moreover, some privet species are considered invasive plants, depending on where you live. Low growing privet hedges can be used as borders for formal rose, perennial or tea gardens. Shear the plants 3 to 4 times a year starting after flowering and continuing whenever the new growth gets long. Privet is hardy to USDA zone 3, which means it can withstand outdoor temperatures year-round without winter protection. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool , United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Ligustrum L. Privet, University of Florida Extension: Ligustrum japonicum (Ligustrum), Fine Gardening: Ligustrum vulgare and cvs. Water it well until the soil is evenly moist. Spread the roots and insert the privet plants into the hole to the soil depth from the previous container or pot. Privet hedges are traditionally used in knot gardens as well. To keep a privet hedge manageable, it needs frequent pruning, between two to four times per growing season. The berries are attractive to birds for food, contributing to the spread of seeds. NC State University Cooperative Extension. Plan to water new privets regularly and established plants during dry spells. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Different varieties thrive in different U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones. Prune tall hedges so that the top of the hedge is slightly narrower than the bottom. Privacy Statement 2022 Charlie Nardozzi, All Rights Reserved. Privet tolerates different types of soils, but grows best if the soil is kept moist. Cheyenne is a common privet variety with multiple stems and dark green leaves. Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. Transplant to the landscape and keep well-watered for at least another month, longer in dry weather, until the young plants are established. Determine how much space you will need between each plant considering the particular privet's mature width. Best Ways To Remove Weeds From a Large Area. Some varieties of privet, such as common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) hardy in USDA zone 5 through 8, are considered invasive in the southeastern part of the United States. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. You'll need at least 5 feet of width to accommodate the spread of Japanese privet or California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium, USDA zones 5 to 8), while glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum, USDA zones 8 to 10) can spread up to 10 feet. Individual plants can be shaped into almost any form such as a mound or box, making them useful as formal plants in a foundation planting. Look for disease resistant varieties. The different species have various temperature requirements. So make sure the species you plan to use is appropriate for your area. If you are intent on seeing your privet hedge bloom in the following year, pruning for shape and size must be done immediately after flowering ceases to avoid removing these new buds. When it gets sufficient water and nutrients, privet grows fast, 1 to 2 feet per year. Fertilize in spring with a layer of compost and an organic plant food. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Remove all the leaves from the first 2 inches of the bottom half of the cuttings so the nodes are exposed. Continue watering weekly for the first six weeks until the roots establish themselves in the planting site. Place the pot in a bright outdoor location with indirect light, away from direct hot sun. Dip the end of the cuttings in rooting hormone. You'll need 9 to 12 inches between California privets to create an attractive, dense hedge, while Ibolium privets should be spaced at least 24 inches apart. All Rights Reserved. Privets have a quick growth rate and can be planted in the spring or fall. Take height into consideration as well. Because of its fast growth, it can be sheared frequently to create a formal-looking, dense hedge that can grow tall and be used to block views or define garden rooms in your landscape. Add several inches of organic matter, compost or a variety-specific plant mix to the trench or hole. While privet can get leaf spots and powdery mildew, aphids, leaf miners, scale, mealybugs and mites, those usually don't affect the overall plant health. To plant a new hedge, position the privets about a foot apart in a trench 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep, and mound the soil around the stems. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way. A privet hedge can develop bare spots if it is not properly pruned. There are around 50 species and even more varieties of privet, including: Privet shrubs can tolerate being shaped to your liking. The desirable property of privetits vigorous growthcan also become a problem. ASPCA. Theyre either evergreen or deciduous (dropping their leaves over winter) with dense, oval or lance-shaped, glossy green leaves, though some varieties have different leaf shades. Privet is a popular, small leaved hedge plant that grows quickly. But their planting site must have good drainage. Privet can be evergreen in warmer climates, but is mostly a deciduous plant in New England. In a month or two, new roots will develop, and you should see new leaf growth. But in general, they can survive temperatures well below freezing, along with heat in summer if they get sufficient watering. Humidity typically isnt an issue, though fungal diseases can grow on foliage that remains wet for too long and doesnt have good air circulation. Ligustrum lucidum. After a shrub is finished flowering for the season, it will soon start to form new buds for next years flowers. Due to its vigorous growth and size, privet is not suitable for container growing. The purpose of your hedge should be a determining factor in choosing the type of privet you plant. Your email address will not be published. Gardeners are usually trying to get rid of privet because it tends to spread aggressively and uncontrollably but if you are looking for an economical way to fill gaps in an existing privet hedge, you can propagate it from cuttings as follows: Regarding the propagation of privet from seed, gardeners are usually struggling to keep privet from spreading by seeds. They will quickly bounce back from a heavy pruning. Young privet shrubs do well with a deep weekly watering if they havent received any rainfall. Using a pencil or a stick, poke a hole in the soil that is deep enough to fit the leafless portion of the cutting. All Rights Reserved. Plant from spring to summer in a full to part sun location on well-drained, compost amended soil. Privet should be pruned regularly to remove dead, diseased and broken branches and to maintain its shape. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. (Common privet), Cornell University Department of Horticulture: Hardiness Zone Summary, North Carolina State University Extension: Ligustrum japonicum, L. sinense, L. lucidum, L. vulgare, Royal Horticultural Society: Hedges: Planting, Arbor Day Foundation: How to Plant a Privacy Hedge, Missouri Botanical Gargen: Ligustrum ovalifolium. Shearing the tops encourages the side shoots to grow. Water the planting area after planting the privets, saturating the soil to the depth of the roots. In the early spring, take slim, pencil-thick cuttings about 6 inches in length. Mulch to preserve soil moisture and prevent weed growth. University of California. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Pyramidal has a natural upright shape making it easier to prune. make excellent hedges because they are fast growing, easy to care for and may display fragrant, sweet smelling flowers. They can provide a lovely living fence to mark the borders of your property and offer a natural barrier against wind, snow, noise and nosy neighbors. Many privet species are not especially ornamental plants when considered in isolation. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Common Privet. attracts beneficials, drought tolerance, deer resistance. Privets will not grow well in areas constantly saturated with moisture. Spray plants with insecticidal soap to control these pests. The plant's common name even seems to say "privacy," and these bushes can form a natural privacy fence for those seeking a secluded setting in their yard. However, they can tolerate partial shade conditions as well. For example, Ibolium privet (Ligustrum x ibolium) grows in zones 4 to 8 while Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum) ranges from zone 7b to 10a. Drive a wooden stake into the ground at your hedge's terminal points and stretch a string between the stakes to create a straight line for reference. In cooler climates, privet shrubs typically drop their leaves in the fall. Aphids, spider mites and whiteflies can also attack these shrubs. It may need some winter protection in colder parts of New England. An avid gardener for 25 years, her experience includes organic food gardening, ornamental plants, shrubs and trees, with a special love for roses. Plot out your projected hedge before you start putting the privet plants in the ground. Space plants 4 to 6 feet apart. Privet shrubs can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, and they are fairly easy to care for. Round, black fruit clusters follow the blooms. They grow dense thickets that choke out all other native species. Lightly pruning a few times throughout the summer will encourage denser, bushier growth with more branching. After attending Hardin Simmons University, Kay Dean finished her formal education with the Institute of Children's Literature. The depth of the trench will depend on the size of the root ball of the privet you are planting. Purchase plants from a local garden center. Please leave us a comment so that we'll know that you were here. Non-invasive alternatives to Chinese privet are inkberry or blackhaw viburnum, both shrubs that are native to North America. However, some people dont like the strong scent and avoid the plant for this reason. Water young privet plants regularly. Fill 4-inch plastic pots with potting mix. Once established, it is drought tolerant. Excerpted from my book, New England Getting Started Garden Guide.