Description:

One of the toughest hedging shrubs around, able to tolerate many soil conditions and types, and takes pruning extremely well; leaves are semi-evergreen and may fall in winter, creamy flowers are pretty but may not appear on heavily pruned plants

Ornamental Features

California Privet has panicles of lightly-scented creamy white flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The glossy oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

California Privet is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

California Privet is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

California Privet will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America.