How to Grow Privet Ligustrum Fast

You'll often see privet hedges around older homes.

Inexpensive and quick to establish, privets (Ligustrum spp.) have been planted as fast-growing hedges for generations. Golden and variegated cultivars are also used as specimen shrubs. Privets are rapid growers, with common hedge species such as Japanese privet (L. japonicum) capable of growing 25 inches or more each year. This is gratifying if you're in a hurry to establish a privacy screen, but be prepared to give the plants a frequent haircut if you envision a formal, clipped hedge. Fast growth requires only a minimum of attention.

Things You'll Need

• Fertilizer
• Pruners
• Organic mulch

Instructions

1. Plant your privet shrubs in full sun for fast, dense growth. Ligustrum grows in partial shade but the growth rate is slower. Variegated cultivars such as Tricolor and Variegata revert to all green in shade, as will yellow forms such as the golden vicary privet.

2. Plant privet shrubs in well-drained soil. They're adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions but grow best in fertile soil with good drainage. Ligustrum planted in constantly wet soil is susceptible to root rot, a fatal fungal disease.

3. Feed privet plants in early spring and midsummer with a shrub fertilizer. Follow the package directions carefully for the proper application amounts, as too much fertilizer will damage the root system and stunt or kill the plants. Regardless of whether you choose a dry or liquid fertilizer, always apply the product to already-moist soil to prevent chemical burns to the roots.

4. Prune off the flower buds when they appear in late spring so that all the plant's energy goes into producing stems and leaves, not flower and fruit production. This also helps prevent the spread of the plant into the wild, a serious problem in some states.

5. Water your privets often enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. They'll need extra attention during extended hot spells and windy weather.

6. Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the shrub's root zone to conserve moisture and discourage weeds that compete with the shrub for water and nutrients.

Tips & Warnings

• It may seem counter-intuitive, but cut newly planted privets back by half if the nursery hasn't already shaped the plant for you. This drastic pruning forces the plant to produce many side shoots, giving you a fuller, denser plant, and helps the roots to become established sooner.

• Although insects and diseases are rarely a serious problem, check your privets occasionally, as early infestations are easier to control and less stressful for your plant. The most common insects are white flies and scale. Root rot, the most serious disease affecting Ligustrum, won't be a problem if the shrubs have good drainage.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Border Privet
• Clemson Cooperative Extension: Ligustrum
• University of Illinois Extension: Golden Vicary Privet