What is Privet Hedging?
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.
- Uses: Formal hedges from 80cm up to 3 metres, and topiary
- Good Points: Evergreen, dense, tolerates pollution, clips beautifully
- Position: Almost anywhere, including dry shade
Wild Privet, Ligustrum vulgare, is not evergreen, although it tends to hold its leaves longer than most other plants. It is great for wildlife, and a common element in conservation hedge mixes.
- Uses: Mixed country hedges from 80cm upwards
- Good Points: Native, great for wildlife dense, tolerates pollution
- Position: Almost anywhere, including dry shade
How many Privet hedge plants do I need?
The planting density for your Privet hedge depends on the purpose:
- For a normal garden boundary hedge, plant at 3 plants per metre (every 33cm) in a single row.
- An interior hedge for purely decorative purposes can be planted at 2 plants per metre (every 50cm) in a single row.
What size Privet hedge plants should I buy?
- If you are not in a hurry to get a full sized Privet hedge, we recommend starting with smaller sizes: up to 60cm tall.
- If you are in a hurry and need instant impact, or are filling gaps in an existing hedge, then of course pick the biggest size that fits your budget.
Smaller plants are cheaper, easier to plant, and tend to establish better because they are dug up with most of their roots intact.
You can also clip them attentively and ensure a very bushy plant from the base up.
If you still aren't sure, then 60/80cm tall is considered the ideal compromise between price, size, and waiting time until you get a mature hedge.
Your Privet plants are delivered by mail order direct from our nursery, along with expert advice, friendly support, plus our Bareroot Replacement Guarantee, and Free Returns on all plants, so you can give them a whirl with complete confidence.
Browse our other hedging plants.