Where to Find Privet Hedge Plants for Your Privacy Screen

A neatly trimmed privet hedge is the quintessential way to create a living fence for privacy in your yard. This classic shrub has remained a go-to hedge plant for good reason – it’s fast growing, dense, and highly shapable. If you’ve decided that a privet privacy hedge is right for your landscape, your next step is finding reputable sources to purchase the plants.

Why Privet Makes an Ideal Hedge

Before diving into where to find privet plants for sale, let’s review why this shrub is so perfectly suited for hedges:

• Fast growth – Privet grows rapidly, up to 2 feet per year. It reaches desired hedge height quickly.

• Dense foliage – The dense, branching structure prevents seeing or passing through the hedge.

• Pruning tolerance – Privet responds well to frequent pruning and shearing to shape the hedge,

• Hardiness – Most privet varieties withstand cold winters, heat, drought, salt, and pollution.

• Adaptability – Privet thrives in sun part shade wet or dry soil, and coastal or inland.

• Affordability – Privet is relatively inexpensive compared to other hedge plants.

With privet’s virtues in mind, let’s explore your options for buying privet hedge plants.

Mail Order Privet Shrubs

Ordering privet shrubs online is convenient, provides a wide selection, and delivers plants right to your door. Reputable online sellers to consider include:

• Gurney’s – Offers Chinese and Japanese privet in bundles of 5, 10, 25, up to 250 bare root plants for hedges.

• Stark Bro’s – Sells Chinese privet in 3 gallon and 7 gallon pots, plus 36″ to 60″ bare root whips.

• Nature Hills Nursery – Provides California, Japanese, and glossy privet in #1 to #5 container sizes.

• Fast Growing Trees – Carries thornless California privet in 2-4 foot bare root and 3 gallon potted sizes.

When ordering privet online, look for sellers who guarantee live delivery and offer at least a 1 year warranty on plants.

Privet Shrubs at Big Box Stores

For convenient local pickup of potted privet hedge plants, check stores like:

• Home Depot – Stocks #1, #2, and #3 container privet varieties including California, Japanese, and golden privet.

• Lowe’s – Carries #1 and #3 pot sizes of glossy privet, California privet, and others.

• Walmart – Offers California and Japanese privet in #3 containers.

Big box privet is affordably priced but selection is limited. Inspect plants carefully for good health and root development before purchasing.

Privet at Local Nurseries

Local independent nurseries are another great source for quality potted privet shrubs. A trusted local nursery has advantages:

• Wider variety of privet species and cultivars

• Larger sizes like #5, #7, and #15 containers

• Better plant health and vigor

• Knowledgeable staff for recommendations

• Abundant other hedge plants if you want alternatives

Shop early in the season for best availability and pre-order for large volumes.

Order Bare Root Privet for Planting

For privet hedge projects, some homeowners and pros prefer bare root privet liner plants installed while dormant:

• Gardeners.com – Offers bare root bundles of 25, 50 or 100 Chinese privet.

• Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Sells 3-6 inch bare root hedge privet liners in packs of 10, 25, 50 or 100.

• Ridgecrest Nurseries – Provides 12-18 inch and 18-24 inch bare root California privet.

Bare root privet is extremely affordable, light to ship, and easy to plant in trenches. But it requires precise timing.

Should You Buy Potted or Bare Root Privet?

Deciding between container grown or bare root privet depends on your plans:

• Potted – Offers more flexibility. Purchase anytime and plant within the growing season. Goes into the ground faster.

• Bare root – Best for planting during dormancy for an instant hedge. More economical for large plantings.

For most homeowners, potted privet from local nurseries or big box stores is the simpler choice. Pros installing long privet hedges save costs with bare root plants.

What Type of Privet is Best?

There are a few popular privet species and cultivars to choose from:

• California privet – The classic hedge privet. Tolerates shearing.

• Japanese privet – Very similar to California but more cold hardy.

• Chinese privet – Fastest growing and most invasive type.

• Golden privet – Yellow or gold foliage adds color. Needs more sun.

• Variegated privet – White edged leaves provide contrast. Grow in shade.

California and Japanese privet are good all-purpose hedging plants. Seek advice from your local nursery on the best varieties for your climate and growing conditions.

How Much Privet Do You Need?

Measure the area where you want your hedge and determine how many feet of plants you need for a single row with no gaps. The rule of thumb spacing is:

• 12-18 inches between small privet shrubs

• 18-24 inches between taller pruned privet

Then add 10-20% more privet than calculated to allow for mortality and gaps while the hedge fills in. Buying extra the first year saves costly infill planting later.

Caring for Privet After Planting

After installing your new privet privacy hedge, be sure to care for the plants properly:

• Water thoroughly each week in first year and in droughts

• Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring and midsummer

• Prune frequently the first 2 years to shape and thicken

• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds

With pruning and time, your privet hedge will grow into a beautifully uniform, dense living screen that provides security and aesthetics for years to come.

Alternatives for Consideration

Although privet is the first choice for many hedge growers, there are a few other suitable hedge plants to consider:

• Arborvitae – Grows in vertical columns for narrow hedges. Evergreen.

• Boxwood – Slow growing but withstands frequent shearing. Evergreen.

• Yew – Forms dense evergreen hedges with pruning. Does well in shade.

• Leyland cypress – Fast growing conifer for tall screens. Needs space.

• Portuguese laurel – Quickly forms broad, bushy hedge. Tolerates shearing.

• American holly – Slow growing but makes prickly evergreen hedge. Needs male and female plants.

Do some research to decide if one of these alternatives better fits your needs and preferences than traditional privet.

Set Yourself Up for Hedge Success

A flourishing, fully-formed privet hedge doesn’t happen overnight. But follow best practices and before you know it, you’ll have a professional-quality living fence enhancing your landscape. The key steps include:

• Select top-quality privet shrubs from reputable sources

• Prepare the planting beds properly before installing plants

• Space privet at recommended distances for desired fullness

• Water consistently and fertilize to encourage vigorous growth

• Start shearing and shaping the hedge right after planting

• Be diligent with frequent pruning in the first two years

• Add infill plants if any areas fail to fill in quickly

With smart planning, patient care, and persistence, that perfect privet privacy hedge can become a reality. The end result will provide security, beauty, and elegance for your outdoor space.