I assume you know that when you see wisteria in a forest, that there are native species of this genus? Thank you SO much for your website. THank you. Both the wall and fence are owned by our neighbors who have been problematic with maintenance. I live near Chicago (Zone 5) and am considering a Davidson Hardy privet.
What is the best time of year to plant this privet? The other issue is this once a plant is established in the wild, what impact does the garden population have on increasing its spread, compared to the acres and acres of it growing wild? I found it with you, thank you. 
Add to this literally thousands of seedlings all over my property. P.S. I just want a 6 foot tall thin-ish border. Thanks for this great thread. This product is a very durable plant. We try to take a balanced attitude, and remember that this is a very large country, and plants that are invasive in some areas are not at all in others, depending on climate and ecology. My privet, whatever it was, did not stink and I did not mind the new seedlings as it added to the privacy screen between us and our neighbor. Sounds like a good choice, but it wont be evergreen. Just a thought. We have privets and junipers both of which I am horribly allergic to but the flowering one is just lovely and we love honeybees. It has overgrown many wild areas and is very difficult to keep clear. Maybe you can get a swap on the wrong two? I live in northern Alabama. I would advise 2 things. I want to plant some trees that are evergreen to provide privacy since I have two story homes surrounding me. Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings. Some Viburnums grow pretty tall, and perhaps the Prague Viburnum would be a good choice for you and your area. Why do local nurseries offer such invasive plants?! PLEASE do not plant ANY species of privet, and when removing it, be thorough in either removing the root or spraying it with herbicide to ensure that it will not return. As for bugs, I am afraid you will get what you get, and plants arent designed to satisfy our strictly human opinions on good and bad in the insect world! I diffently recommend this tree for close to buildings, side walks and patios. They should work out fine. Apparently the Monarch butterfly loves the privet blossoms. They spread over the party fence line. I bought them because I read that golden ticket was not invasive. I have allergies in general but dont find it to be worse than the cedars and the oak pollen-you cant escape. Im in Louisiana. But it depends where you live some species are not invasive at all in some areas, and pose only a very low threat in others. All of my ornamental grasses and flowers survived with no damage but my 50 year old hydrangea looks more than half dead. Not sure what people are talking about with comments invasive and seedlings everywhere. They will be full by mid-summer! But like the five-year-old who gets on a no-fly list because he shares a first name with a wanted terrorist, all privets dont deserve this reputation, which springs from a few black-sheep who have sullied the reputation of the whole family. If not, I was considering planting cherry laurel in place. 
I planted 4 privet ovolufulium (California privet I believe) 8 feet apart. It has fragrant white flowers that bloom in May and June, after which it produces small blackberries. I can only see it hardy to minus 10, which is zone 6. Remember it is not Ligustrum vulgare, which is pretty invasive just about everywhere. It is UGLY !!! Could the scent of the California privet be in this category? Published: Tuesday, 4 June, 2019 at 2:05 pm. Agree entirely about kudzu! The only sterile varieties are golden privets such as this one we have, or Ligustrum x vicarium. I just bought 2 of the Straight Talk Swift It should have been contained in the jungles of Southeast Asia from where it cameI am in the process of trying to eliminate it from my 483 acre forestalmost IMPOSSIBLE !!! The ordinary version of that can be 30 feet tall. They can easily grow to 15-feet, but we try to keep them at 12-feet. Keep trimming lightly as they grow, and you will have the thickest privacy hedge around. Thanks Lisa! We thought it was due to the drought and installed irrigation to give them a fairly deep drink a couple times a week.
Do it soon, or if it hasnt flowered yet, do it straight after flowering. For two years after planting, water your privet hedge in dry spells and keep the area around the plants free of weeds. Even evergreen privets are likely to lose a lot of leaves in your area in winter, so the short answer is not really. Known as the Waxleaf Privet, it is garlanded with large, 8-inch-long clusters of pure-white flowers in spring. here is a place to start, if you are interested http://www.guynesom.com/LigustrumOverview.pdf. Thanks! Do you think my privet is the invasive kind or a different variety? Shop online for your favorite plants, and we'll ship them directly to your home or business. Pot them on or plants them directly out in the garden. From the description it doesnt sound like any of the plants you mention they all have regular flowers, not at all like the irregular, chestnut flower you describe. Any thoughts on that variety or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated! You might well trim those 200 plants regularly so they dont flower or seed, but what about in 30 years, especially with rising average temperatures? Flowers would be a plus and deer resistant in a must. Not disagreeing with you in principle and thanks for all your hard work in clearing land but these issues are more nuanced than you are suggesting. After reaching desired height, how often does it need trimming to remain in shape? privet On the other hand, many birds use the seed as a food source, while also distributing the plant around, so its a judgement call on what is more important. Please advuu if se. Now lets see who to cross off the invitation list. Round-Up doesnt seem to phase them. Any advice? You cant spray it, as it will kill the plants around too, but you can put on rubber gloves, mix it in a bucket, and working carefully so you dont make drips, use a big sponge to wipe it on the privet foliage. The lack of smell suggests it isnt privet, but peoples idea of what smells strong or not varies a lot too. There are alternatives! I have a screen of privets along my back fence. Studies done on this subject suggest it is minimal, once a plant has established wild populations. The variegated from of Chinese privet is much tamer, and has attractive leaves edged in white.
Do you suppose thats why Ive never seen berries? Thank you for such an insight about the plant. I would not eat them. Way too fast! If you dont trim you will get more flowers. Also, would this likely stay evergreen in Zone 7a? Does it keep renewing itself from the cutting? They grow all over in my town in NorCal. I do think it is potentially invasive, especially in the long term, when no-one is trimming regularly anymore. Its a good screen, only needs shearing a few times during the summer to keep it neat, and we never water or feed it. Glad to be of help! I always loved the way it smelled and scented the entire garden when in bloom. In our back yard, we have a 4-foot retaining wall with a 6-foot wood fence on top that runs along the east side of the yard. What would be recommended for a privet that would be left untrimmed as a border. The green is stronger and will in time take over if you leave it. This plant is not especially cold-hardy, but it thrives in the warmth and humidity of the south-east, again seeding and spreading into natural forests and crowding out native species. But in their yard. What makes privet beautiful is a little care from its owner. Privet will grow almost anywhere. People have died that way really, they have. Im tired of laurel and the thujas around here seem afflicted with something, so am wary of adding more. The truth is that many privets are well-mannered garden subjects, flowering prettily, making great background plants, offering us trouble-free leaf-colors and generally getting on well with everyone else in the garden. Yesterday, I finally purchased 2 Wavyleaf Ligustrum /Ligustrum japonicum Recurvifolium (this is the name on the tag) with the idea to plant in front of my house, in front of a window, as bushes. You are in zone 4 or 5, and privet is not hardy enough for you. Staggering will always give you more density about 4 or 5 feet apart, with 3 between the rows, but again in depends on the variety. I have a love/hate relationship with it. The tree seemed to appreciate it. Is there anywhere I can send a picture of my privet growing in Michigan for identification? I also have deer and concerned that they will be eaten. Every spring thousands of tiny, smelly, white/yellow flowers. If you live in an area prone to fire you should have no large trees within 50 feet of your property, or 100 foot if the land slopes upwards away from the property. Slow and tedious, but effective, if you dont mind using chemicals. It would be lovely if the smell appealed to me instead of the bees. Im located in the northeast corner of Ct. I plan on keeping both so any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I would like to plant this in the vicinity of an underground perforated drainage tile.Does the root system get aggressive and grow into a perforated drain tile if the plant is close to the tile? I struggled the first couple of years due to terrible soil conditions (clay soil) and letting the nursery plant it which was unconventional IMO from what I had been taught which wasa they dug a hole just big enough to throw in the ground, added nothing to condition the soil as in mulch and gypson, but did leave me a bottle of the juice they call it and instructions to water, water, water apparently to make up for not digging a hole twice the size of the base which granted would be rather big. We really are interested in planting something evergreen that can create a privacy hedge. Am I correct to assume they will grow 10 to 12 feet high which will be 4 feet above the fence line? Along with many other invasive plant species like wisteria and kudzu, it is fast growing and can be very destructive to an entire ecosystem.
I cut and cut as they come up and they just keep showing up all over the yard. . But, yes, its likely a good fit for you. I have tried killing one by cutting it to ground level. I know I planted very close to the fence but what I am trying to achieve is green covering the wooden fence and I need 10 to 15 feet of height for privacy. Any reason why? good point. The hedge/shrub was planted by my Gramps back in the 40s. I have some wax leaf Ligustrums in our back yard & after the flowers turned brown most of the branches that had the blooms died as well. Trimmed hedges do regenerate, especially something tough like Privet, even from the roots, so the parts you see today are not the ones in the 1934 picture like those ancient Japanese temples that have been repaired so much that non of the original timbers remain is it the same temple/hedge therefore? Yikes. hardy privet seed northern This is privet by the way. It has grown into a very low maintenance beautiful small tree. But totally gone so I can only go by the height. Are they all the same plant? I am originally from the US south but now live in Europe ( for 18 years). Privet is generally a trouble-free plant. Green all year. Outrageous! Is it made into an essential oil or anything! I would go with Texas, as California grows too large for you, although it does clip well. 
Thanks so much this helpful information. Firm plants in and water well. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved the distinct scent of the privet flowers. The butterflies love the white flowers. Small plants may suffer rabbit damage. I have about 3 ft tall shrub that was identified as being a privet. You might be looking at buckthorn, which also has glossy leaves a bit like privet. A variety listed as growing smaller will of course take longer to reach that height than a tall variety will, if you are willing to keep trimming it regularly.
It has been blossoming since may, but many of the blossoms are dying. Dont forget to start trimming well before it reaches that 4 feet just an inch or two to keep it really dense and leafy to the ground bottom wider than the top is the rule.
It does only grow to about 8 feet, as a bush, not a tall tree, so you wont even need to trim much an attractive plant and a good buy! That ways 0% chance of its seeding anywhere and it stays bushy as you want it to be. Also, some varieties hardly ever bloom, others do it a lot perhaps you have a non-blooming one? I am excited to plant them and am looking forward to that sweet, summer smell every time I walk out of my front door. You will receive a tracking number once your plants ship. . Even though they flower, we have never had them pop up elsewhere on our property, so in my mind theyre very well-behaved. . It is messy and parking the car under it is not wise. I am afraid we dont have facility to upload pictures, and anyway, telling them apart is tricky, and needs fresh material, including flowers and seeds. If you are on the north side, you will find your neighbor gets the best side of the privet hedge, and your side will be relatively thin, since it is the shady side. Young hedges may need to be replanted and the soil drainage improved.
It is ironic that in the back our neighbors privets have destroyed the fence and we have two of them now growing in our yardimpossible to get rid of easily. Glad you like it. But if you need a quick hedgeWOWplus the birds are nuts about the glossy black berries. Whether youre looking for trees to grace the front of your house or a privacy screen for your backyard, we provide the same high-quality selection of trees, shrubs, and mosses as found at your local nursery. Thanks. How can I tell the difference between a Japanese privet, a white lilac bush or a Hawaiian Mockorange; or whatever it is. Regular Ligustrum ovalifolium Vicaryi will set seed as vigorously as any other common privet will. . It will take care of itself and will even flourish in droughts. It is much safer to eat only what is known to be safe and edible, rather than experiment with this or that. We moved into a house that has a tall well established Ligustrum tree in the back yard. What scent is that? Im so glad I came home to research before purchase! Part of the problem is poor identification, and the use of blanket terms like privet. But am at a loss as to what else I could use. Indian Laurel (Ficus nitidus), Shoestring Acacia (Acacia stenophylla), Mondel Pine (Pinus eldarica). What are your thoughts? Ours will be too short for your needs, and anyway, it doesnt sound like your spot would look good with golden foliage? Many years ago I lived in England, and there was a case where 5 people (I think that was the number, but several, anyway) died from eating a forage salad. I am the daughter of an amazing gardener, as was her mother. Sorry. Impactful, bold, bright and long flowering, this hardy sunflower will bring radiant sunshine to your summer and autumn garden. Horrific! This is a plant that comes in many varieties- there are hedges, trees, and privets come in a wide variety of sizes. You would need to wait maybe 3 months before doing that, and you might need to re-treat any that re-sprouting from. Your article set me on the right path. The privets look worse than ever. I am thinking the Indian laurel could be best for you fast-growing, easily trimmed, evergreen, and tough. The one sometimes referred to as Chinese ligustrum lucidum is actually used in Chinese herbal medicine On the other hand, I dont want to let nonnative invasives spread if I can help it. I am having terrible trouble with rust coloring of leaves, then it turns yellow, drys up but does not fall off. Sounds like you have had a lot of rain, and I suspect an opportunistic fungus has established in the dead wet flowers and spread down the branches. It has a sappling growing on the truck now which I am going to remove as I am shaping the branches as it grows to have a nice branch structure and then plant another one in a large pot by the pool to provide privacy from the two story house next door. Any suggestions? Heres my mystery: The privets used to be dense and lush; however, a few years ago we noticed that they were thinning out. Is there a definitive answer as to how old a privet can get. Thank you. We have 2 of these beautiful trees in central Texas, as well as many throughout the neighborhood. So much great information.
. It may seem that calling something as everyday as privet beautiful is going too far, but well-tended privet, as a tree or a hedge, is a handsome plant that can earn a place in any garden. Trim in late summer as well and you wont even get many blooms. Thoughts? What would I have central Virginia? privet variegated ligustrum I need something structured, architectural as the house and formal plantings call for it. Its great because it shields the house from the road, which at the time the house was built was a dirt country lane, but has now become a busy state road. They might not be native, but when they make flowers, the bees love them, and the berries attract hundreds of Robins and Cedar Waxings that feed off of them for weeks. I hesitate to give a zone as it depends on whose chart you are looking at.