Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Ligustrum ovalifolium, commonly called California Privet, is a fast-growing semi-evergreen shrub that makes a fine choice for a hedge. In early spring, the shrub is adorned with small white flowers. The flowers mature to shiny black fruits that feed songbirds. Due to its dense form and easy nature, this California Privet has often been used for privacy hedges in the Hamptons and other coastal areas.
This is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen shrub with dense branching. It has a compact and vertical form, reaching 10 – 15 feet tall and 7 – 9 feet wide. It is native to Japan and South Korea. The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and bees, and are lovely in cut flower arrangements. It tolerates drought, heat, wind and salt spray. It can be trimmed into practically any shape you can imagine, making it well suited for a formal hedge, windblock, or privacy screen.
California Privet Care
This shrub prefers full exposure to sun. It performs best in fertile, sandy loam soil, but will tolerate poor soil and clay. Your California privet will appreciate consistent moisture and should be watered regularly during the growing season. Once established, it will develop drought tolerance. Mulch new plants with high quality compost to conserve moisture and improve the soil.
Prune your privet in spring or immediately after flowering to keep this shrub looking tidy. Trim them so they are thinner at the top and broader at the bottom, ensuring the bottom branches receive sufficient sun exposure.
California Privet Spacing
To plant a dense hedge, space these shrubs approximately 6 feet apart, center on center. Eventually, the branches will begin to overlap and create a tight screen. Increase the spacing to 9 feet apart if a gap between shrubs is desired.
California Privet Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 10-15 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 7-9 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Semi-Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- California Privet
- Botanical Name
- LIGUSTRUM OVALIFOLIUM
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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