I live in Massachusetts. And now thinking I should return. Toxins Present Protoanemonin. What a great, helpful article! We have a privet tree that is about 15 years old and is about 20 ft tall. Thank you for the detailed information. I am so relieved to read that! But I am more concerned about all the other comments too now! It has no serious pests. . Certain types of privet, like California privet, grow rapidly and can be hard to control or maintain. Identifying plants is not easy if you don’t actually see them, there are just too many plants, and even if they are privet, knowing which exact one is very hard. I understand the best time to do a rejuvenation pruning is late winter/early Spring. I would suggest using something more suitable, and native, like creosote bush or desert hackberry, perhaps? Second, my feelings regarding privet have not changed. Glossy Privet is used extensively as a shrub or tree standard. The salt will leach out of the soil with each rainfall, so they could recover – don’t give up yet. There are, after all, 50 species, and only two or three are invasive anywhere. There are two species of privet that we can easily garden without, and be happier for the experience. They provided total privacy from three sets of neighbors. Also sometimes called Chinese privet, but better called glossy privet, Ligustrum lucidum does indeed have attractive glossy foliage, but in areas like Texas it too is invasive. A privet with flowers. Thank you in advance, Any suggestions on one that doesn’t have berries? i’m looking to plant the japanese privet for a privacy fence. It operates between perfume and smell. what is privet tree –very tall– flammability? Might take two applications, as they could re-sprout, but unlikely. I live in Québec Canada. The second is that they produce a mother lode of pollen. Could you shed some light on this? So I think the two you have bought will be fine in your hedge. This is a plant that will grow rapidly and crowd out your garden, as well as producing some dull flowers that never the less seed profusely, and have already spread into many north-eastern forests. A tree in bloom is almost as attractive as a Japanese tree lilac, which everyone agrees is garden worthy, and privet has the added merit of being evergreen. The profusion of berries afterward are not especially attractive and can be messy. Thank You. Then come the tiny pure berries that stain surrounding walkways. The only way to stop berries would be to stop flowering, which means regular trimming. The zone 4 vulgaris is the only one I can have in our winter (-30 to +30 celcius) As a bonsaist, I use privets as bonsai and love it to be a very good trainer for beginners in the atr. Code: spring10. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Let’s hope so – but these are tough plants that take some killing. I’m so glad I came home to research before purchase! 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 live in West Texas (Zone 9a) and came across this page through a Google search. They worked very well. She said it was a non-native invasive species, and doesn’t understand why they are still being sold in this state. Northern Privet is a fast-growing evergreen shrub. The Texanum does drop a few leaves and flowers, but I’ve yet to have another one grow nearby from seedlings. I live in NJ outside Philadelphia and I’m now learning they may not thrive here. It is much safer to eat only what is known to be safe and edible, rather than experiment with this or that. But right on the shore you should have the coastal effect keeping it a bit warmer, so probably OK. You might also consider using eastern red cedar – Juniperus virginiana, which clips well, grows on the shore, is more cold resistant, and doesn’t grow so fast, so needs less frequent clipping. However for a quick growing screen-I’m in the center city and our yards are small-it is reliable and manageable. I think it will probably stay mostly evergreen for you. It still came back!! So Im not sure if these privets even if they do seed and disperse will they even put a dent in the seeds that come from the forest? What scent is that? I’m in Louisiana. Granted the flowers are a little hard on my allergies, so I never plant too close to my entry or window. California Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) Mature Height/Spread: This semi-evergreen shrub grows rapidly to 15 feet, has dark green, 2½-inch leaves and dull white, heavy scented flowers. I suggest taking a piece, in bloom or with berries, to a local garden center, where you might get lucky and find someone who knows the local plants in your area. It’s a form of European privet, Ligustrum vulgare ‘Cheyenne’. Thank you for this article. I googled thinking the invasive suckers were ligustrum, but in reality they are Chinese privet. They were exposed to bay water tidal flooding for several days. Will pruning the flowing or subsequent berries slow down the hedge’s growth? I’m wondering if this is Japanese or perhaps Chinese Privet? I also have deer and concerned that they will be eaten. This is privet by the way. Distribution. This plant is small enough to grow in large pots and planter boxes, where, with its arching shoots, it makes an attractive terrace and patio plant. If this flooding looks likely to become more common with rising sea levels, maybe you want something salt resistant. There are plenty of very toxic things that smell and taste good. I prefer more native trees. Ours! All the other hedges in the neighborhood are totally different. Glad to be of help! Even a klutz like me can grow one. You don’t have a link to the tree on your site do you? I suspect you won’t like it much. It has taken over the yard next door, though was never planted there. California privet (sorry, I don’t know the scientific name) is your culprit. I will check out the suggested alternative. Reading these comments has made me nervous about our recent choice to plant Lodense privets along our west fence as a hedge in Colorado. I have another tree in the backyard that looks like it may be the Texas strain. I live near Chicago (Zone 5) and am considering a Davidson Hardy privet. The privet tree ( Ligustrum lucidum) is a fast-growing evergreen that can grow 25 to 40 feet in height. This is probably the best article I’ve read about privet online; thank you so much! Privet spreads by seeds, so the simple … I am talking probably thousands! It would seem by the age of the house , that our hedge could likely be over 100 years old. But if you don’t need to reduce the size, leaving a plant alone will usually result in more flowers, and a more natural form. Glad that it grows fast. I have it in Oklahoma. Chinese Privet is EXTREMELY invasive in Southern Mississippi !!! Thanks. You mention holly growing well – perhaps that will give you the glossy leaf you want for your hedges – it sure is a good hedging plant. It will, like any plant that produces quantities of pollen and nectar, attract bees. so many different experiences here. Yikes. 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. Tut, tut! If you plan to use it as a hedge, and trim once or twice a year, it should have few flowers and even fewer seeds. 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