Privet shrubs, belonging to the Ligustrum genus, are deciduous, semi-evergreen, or evergreen plants widely used for hedges, privacy screens, and ornamental landscaping due to their dense growth, fast growth rate, and adaptability. These shrubs are prized for their small, glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers, and ability to tolerate heavy pruning, making them ideal for shaping into formal or informal barriers. Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, privets are versatile and thrive in a variety of conditions, though some species are considered invasive in certain regions, such as parts of North America. Below are sixteen distinct types of privet shrub varieties, each offering unique characteristics that enhance landscapes with their functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Japanese Privet (*Ligustrum japonicum*)
Native to Japan, Korea, and China, the Japanese privet is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub that grows to about 6 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, with a dense, upright habit. Its glossy, dark green leaves are oval-shaped, and it produces small, fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries that attract birds. Japanese privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, tolerating a range of conditions, including heat and drought once established. Its dense foliage and fast growth make it a popular choice for privacy hedges, screens, or foundation plantings, and it can be easily shaped into formal designs with regular pruning.
California Privet (*Ligustrum ovalifolium*)
Native to Japan, the California privet is a semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub that grows to about 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, with a bushy, spreading habit. Its oval, bright green leaves turn yellowish in fall, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. California privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, and its fast growth rate makes it ideal for quickly establishing privacy hedges or screens. It is highly adaptable, tolerating urban conditions and heavy pruning, though it is considered invasive in some regions, such as parts of the United States, where it can spread aggressively.
Common Privet (*Ligustrum vulgare*)
Native to Europe and North Africa, the common privet is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 8 to 12 feet tall and wide, with a dense, upright habit. Its small, oval, dark green leaves turn yellow in fall, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries that persist into winter. Common privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types, making it highly adaptable for hedges, screens, or windbreaks. Its fast growth and ability to regenerate after pruning make it a reliable choice for privacy, though it is invasive in some areas, such as parts of North America, where it can outcompete native plants.
Chinese Privet (*Ligustrum sinense*)
Native to China, the Chinese privet is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub that grows to about 6 to 12 feet tall and wide, with a dense, spreading habit. Its small, oval, glossy green leaves remain on the plant year-round in milder climates, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Chinese privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, tolerating heat, drought, and urban conditions. Its dense foliage and fast growth make it ideal for privacy hedges or screens, though it is highly invasive in regions like the southeastern United States, where it can dominate natural ecosystems.
Golden Privet (*Ligustrum ovalifolium ‘Aureum’*)
A cultivar of the California privet, ‘Golden Privet’ is a semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub that grows to about 8 to 10 feet tall and wide, with a bushy, spreading habit. Its oval leaves are variegated with bright golden-yellow margins and green centers, adding a vibrant splash of color to landscapes, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Golden privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, with its best color achieved in full sun. Its dense growth and striking foliage make it ideal for ornamental hedges or privacy screens, though it shares the invasive tendencies of its parent species in some regions.
Waxleaf Privet (*Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’*)
A cultivar of the Japanese privet, ‘Waxleaf Privet’ is an evergreen shrub that grows to about 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, with a dense, upright habit. Its glossy, dark green leaves are thicker and waxier than the species, providing a lush, year-round appearance, and it produces small, fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Waxleaf privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought once established. Its dense foliage and compact growth make it a popular choice for formal hedges, privacy screens, or foundation plantings, and it is less invasive than some other privet species.
Variegated Privet (*Ligustrum sinense ‘Variegatum’*)
A cultivar of the Chinese privet, ‘Variegated Privet’ is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub that grows to about 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, with a dense, spreading habit. Its small, oval leaves are variegated with creamy-white margins and green centers, adding visual interest, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Variegated privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, with its best color achieved in full sun. Its dense growth and colorful foliage make it ideal for ornamental hedges or privacy screens, though it is highly invasive in some regions, such as the southeastern United States.
Amur Privet (*Ligustrum amurense*)
Native to northeastern Asia, the Amur privet is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 8 to 12 feet tall and wide, with a dense, upright habit. Its small, oval, dark green leaves turn yellow in fall, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Amur privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types, making it highly adaptable for hedges, screens, or windbreaks. Its fast growth and ability to regenerate after pruning make it a reliable choice for privacy, though it is considered invasive in some areas, such as parts of North America, where it can spread aggressively.
Cheyenne Privet (*Ligustrum vulgare ‘Cheyenne’*)
A cultivar of the common privet, ‘Cheyenne Privet’ is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, with a dense, upright habit. Its small, oval, dark green leaves turn yellow in fall, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Cheyenne privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, and its compact size and fast growth make it ideal for privacy hedges or screens. It is particularly valued for its cold hardiness, making it suitable for northern climates, though it shares the invasive tendencies of its parent species in some regions.
Curly Leaf Privet (*Ligustrum japonicum ‘Recurvifolium’*)
A cultivar of the Japanese privet, ‘Curly Leaf Privet’ is an evergreen shrub that grows to about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, with a dense, upright habit. Its glossy, dark green leaves have a distinctive curled or wavy edge, adding unique texture, and it produces small, fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Curly Leaf privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought once established. Its dense foliage and distinctive leaf shape make it a popular choice for ornamental hedges, privacy screens, or foundation plantings, and it is less invasive than some other privet species.
Sunshine Privet (*Ligustrum sinense ‘Sunshine’*)
A cultivar of the Chinese privet, ‘Sunshine Privet’ is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub that grows to about 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, with a dense, compact habit. Its small, oval leaves are bright golden-yellow, adding a vibrant splash of color to landscapes, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Sunshine privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, with its best color achieved in full sun. Its compact size and colorful foliage make it ideal for low hedges, borders, or accent plantings, though it is invasive in some regions, such as the southeastern United States.
Vicary Golden Privet (*Ligustrum x vicaryi*)
A hybrid between Ligustrum ovalifolium and Ligustrum vulgare, ‘Vicary Golden Privet’ is a semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub that grows to about 8 to 10 feet tall and wide, with a bushy, spreading habit. Its oval leaves are bright golden-yellow, adding a luminous accent to landscapes, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Vicary Golden privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, with its best color achieved in full sun. Its dense growth and striking foliage make it ideal for ornamental hedges or privacy screens, though it shares the invasive tendencies of its parent species in some regions.
Howell’s Dwarf Privet (*Ligustrum japonicum ‘Howardii’*)
A dwarf cultivar of the Japanese privet, ‘Howell’s Dwarf Privet’ is an evergreen shrub that grows to about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, with a dense, compact habit. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide a lush, year-round appearance, and it produces small, fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Howell’s Dwarf privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, tolerating heat and drought once established. Its compact size and dense foliage make it ideal for low hedges, borders, or foundation plantings, and it is less invasive than some other privet species.
Silver Privet (*Ligustrum sinense ‘Argenteum’*)
A cultivar of the Chinese privet, ‘Silver Privet’ is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub that grows to about 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, with a dense, spreading habit. Its small, oval leaves are variegated with silvery-white margins and green centers, adding visual interest, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Silver privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, with its best color achieved in full sun. Its dense growth and colorful foliage make it ideal for ornamental hedges or privacy screens, though it is highly invasive in some regions, such as the southeastern United States.
Lodense Privet (*Ligustrum vulgare ‘Lodense’*)
A dwarf cultivar of the common privet, ‘Lodense Privet’ is a deciduous shrub that grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, with a dense, compact habit. Its small, oval, dark green leaves turn yellow in fall, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Lodense privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, and its compact size makes it ideal for low hedges, borders, or foundation plantings. It is particularly valued for its cold hardiness and neat appearance, though it shares the invasive tendencies of its parent species in some regions.
Swift Creek Privet (*Ligustrum sinense ‘Swift Creek’*)
A cultivar of the Chinese privet, ‘Swift Creek Privet’ is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub that grows to about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, with a dense, spreading habit. Its small, oval, glossy green leaves are variegated with creamy-white margins, adding visual interest, and it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by black berries. Swift Creek privet thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, with its best color achieved in full sun. Its dense growth and colorful foliage make it ideal for ornamental hedges or privacy screens, though it is highly invasive in some regions, such as the southeastern United States.