- 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 - 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.
Straight Talk Privet Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 8 - 12 Feet |
Mature Spread: 2 - 4 Feet |
Spacing: 2 - 4 Feet |
Habit: Upright, Columnar |
Flower Color(s): None |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Semi-Evergreen, Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Interest, Summer Interest |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Bees, Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Edging, Hedges & Privacy, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Brand: First Editions Plants |
Common Name: Straight Talk Privet |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: LIGUSTRUM `STRAIGHT TALK` |
- SKU:
- 1231010383-pc
Container Sizes
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.

Quart Pot
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

2.5 Quart
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

#1 Pot
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

#2 Pot
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

#3 Pot
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

#5 Pot
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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Arrival Guarantee
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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.