A privet hedge (Ligustrum) is a fast-growing, dense shrub often used to create living fences and privacy screens. This popular landscaping choice is prized for its ability to tolerate heavy shearing, resulting in a formal, thick barrier that quickly defines a property line. Buyers must understand the various forms of nursery stock, as this dictates the best purchasing location and planting schedule. Selecting the correct stock form is essential for successfully establishing a privet hedge based on project size, budget, and timeline.
Understanding the Forms of Privet Stock
The choice of privet stock directly influences cost, handling, and the optimal time for installation. The most economical option is the bare root plant, which is dug up while dormant and shipped without soil attached to the roots. Bare root privet is significantly cheaper, often 30 to 50 percent less expensive than potted varieties, making it the preferred choice for large-scale hedging projects.
These dormant plants must be ordered and planted promptly between late autumn and early spring, before they break dormancy. Bare root plants are easier and more cost-effective to ship over long distances because they are lighter and require less space. However, they must be kept moist and planted quickly to ensure survival.
Containerized privet is grown and sold in soil, allowing the root system to remain intact, which makes them less susceptible to transplant shock. This form offers planting flexibility, as it can be installed nearly any time of year, avoiding only periods of extreme heat or frozen ground. Containerized stock is the best alternative for smaller projects or situations requiring immediate visual impact.
The most mature and expensive option is balled and burlapped (B&B) stock. This involves digging up a very large, established plant with an intact root ball wrapped in burlap fabric. B&B privet is typically reserved for instant hedges or large specimen plantings where immediate height is necessary, often requiring specialized transport and professional handling.
Primary Retail Sources for Purchasing
Specialized online nurseries and dedicated hedge growers are the primary sources for purchasing privet in bulk, particularly bare root stock. These vendors often offer a wider selection of specific cultivars, such as the hardy Amur River Privet or the semi-evergreen California Privet. Buying from these specialists typically provides the best pricing for large quantities. However, the buyer must rely on the grower’s reputation since the plants cannot be physically inspected before delivery.
Local garden centers and independent nurseries allow buyers to personally select and inspect containerized plants before purchase. These local retailers can offer personalized, regional advice regarding the best variety for the local climate and soil conditions. Although the cost per plant may be higher, the ability to examine the root health and overall vigor is a benefit, especially for those new to planting hedges.
Big box stores and large home improvement retailers offer convenience and immediate availability, usually selling containerized privet. These locations are suitable for small, last-minute purchases or replacements, but they carry a limited selection compared to specialty growers. Plant care quality at these high-volume stores can be variable, so careful inspection for signs of stress or root issues is important before purchase. For a uniform, cohesive hedge, purchasing all plants from a single, reliable source in the same stock form is recommended.
Essential Purchasing Calculations and Timing
Accurately calculating the required number of plants ensures the creation of a dense, continuous hedge. For a typical privacy screen, privet shrubs should be spaced approximately 1 to 2 feet apart on center, depending on the desired density and the variety’s mature width. The calculation involves measuring the total linear feet of the hedge line and multiplying that number by 0.5 to 1.0 plants per linear foot. For example, a 100-foot hedge requiring plants every 18 inches (1.5 feet) would need about 67 plants.
The timing of the purchase is dictated by the chosen stock type. Bare root privet must be ordered and received during the plant’s natural dormancy period, typically running from November to March. This seasonal restriction means buyers must plan in advance to secure their order for early spring planting.
Containerized privet is available throughout the year and offers greater flexibility, though planting is still best performed in the spring or fall when soil temperatures are moderate. Purchasing in bulk, generally 50 plants or more, significantly reduces the price per unit, providing better value for extensive projects. Securing a planting date concurrent with the stock’s arrival is necessary, as bare root plants must be planted immediately upon receipt to prevent the root system from drying out.