Straight Talk Privet

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8 - 12 Feet

Mature Spread

2-4 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

A naturally narrow and tall growth habit is the defining feature of the Straight Talk privet, a cultivar within the Ligustrum genus. It grows over ten feet tall but keeps a tight spread between two to four feet without pruning. Few maintenance requirements and an ability to tolerate drought and cold make this shrub exceptionally suited to urban plantings. Pollinators are attracted to the small, fragrant flowers that appear in late spring; birds enjoy the black berries that develop later.

This ligustrum makes an excellent hedge. The vibrant, glossy  green foliage fills in thickly to create a privacy screen. Its strong, upright and narrow habit is great for providing a vertical accent in a tight space.  The leaves are tight and tidy looking, so the Straight Talk privet pairs well as a background for smaller plants with a rougher texture.

Straight Talk Privet Care

The Straight Talk privet grows well under average home landscape situations. It prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts to both moist and dry locations as long as it is not constantly waterlogged, but the ideal soil is moist and well-drained. This privet is drought tolerant. Irrigate it occasionally during the period of establishment and check the soil around the plant during extended hot, dry weather. 

You can trim this privet at any point; it responds well to pruning. Try to time heavy shearings for early spring or just after the shrub has finished flowering. Whenever possible, keep the bottom a bit wider than the top so that sunlight can penetrate to the bottom parts of the plant. 

Straight Talk Privet Spacing

To make a living wall of this privet shrub, plant them 18 inches apart. To create a privacy screen quickly, zig-zag the plants with this spacing. Give specimens that will stand alone or that you do not plan to prune a bit more space.