Upright Privet
Upright Privet
The Classic Fast, Dense Shrub for Clipped Hedges
Upright Privet (Ligustrum) is a time-tested hedging shrub valued for its dense, upright growth, small glossy leaves, and willingness to be sheared into crisp, formal hedges and screens. Clusters of fragrant white flowers appear in early summer, followed by dark berries. Fast-growing, tough, and deer-resistant, it's a dependable choice for privacy hedges and property lines in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Upright Privet Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Ligustrum |
| Mature Size | 6–10 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wide (kept smaller by shearing) |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — hardy in most metro gardens; site in a sheltered spot) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Early summer (fragrant white flowers) |
| Flower Color | White, fragrant; dark berries follow |
| Soil | Adaptable — tolerates clay, poor soil, and a range of conditions |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable in zone 4 with a sheltered site; may experience some tip dieback in harsh winters |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Formal hedges and screens: Its dense, upright habit and tolerance of shearing make it a classic for clipped hedges and privacy screens. Space 2–3 feet apart for a tight hedge.
Fast privacy: Quick-growing for screening; the early-summer flowers feed pollinators. Pair with other hedging shrubs and tough perennials.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Adaptable; water through establishment.
How to Plant Upright Privet
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. For a hedge, space 2–3 feet apart in a row.
Watering Upright Privet
First year: Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Quite drought-tolerant once established — water during dry spells. Shear as needed to maintain a formal shape.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
It's hardy in most Twin Cities gardens with a sheltered location; in very exposed sites it may show some tip dieback that's easily pruned out.
Q: How often should I shear it?
Once or twice during the growing season keeps a formal hedge crisp; it tolerates heavy shearing well.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse privet.
Q: Does it flower?
Yes — fragrant white flower clusters in early summer, followed by dark berries, though hedging shears often remove the blooms.
You May Also Like
Common Purple Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): A fragrant flowering hedge shrub.
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum): A native hedge shrub for wildlife.
Diabolo Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): A large native shrub for informal screens.
How Many Upright Privet Do I Need?
For a tight clipped hedge, space plants about 2.5 ft on center so they knit into a solid wall; widen to 3 ft for a looser screen.
| Run length | Plants needed (2.5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 4 |
| 20 ft | 8 |
| 30 ft | 12 |
| 40 ft | 16 |
Upright Privet Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Fast flush of small glossy leaves fills the hedge in quickly.
- Summer: Fragrant white flower clusters appear in early summer (often sheared off on formal hedges).
- Fall: Foliage holds late; dark berries follow the flowers where blooms are left on.
- Winter: Drops to a dense twiggy framework that still screens views.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Techny Arborvitae — evergreen screen to pair with or substitute where year-round privacy is the goal.
- Miss Kim Lilac — fragrant flowering shrub that adds spring scent to a mixed hedge.
- Dwarf Korean Lilac — compact lilac for a lower, looser informal screen.
- Mohican Viburnum — tough flowering-and-fruiting shrub for an informal wildlife hedge.
Is Upright Privet Right for Your Yard?
Privet is the workhorse for fast, formal, shearable hedges in full sun to part shade, tolerating clay and poor soil and shrugging off deer. Not a fit for very exposed, windswept sites in the coldest winters, where it can show tip dieback — give it a sheltered location and prune any winter damage out in spring.