Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  European Privet, Common Privet

Brand:  First Editions

Description:

This variety is perfect as a vertical accent in tight spaces; takes pruning exceptionally well; densely branched, with interesting flowers (if not pruned) followed by black berries in fall; easy to grow, handles polluted city conditions well

Ornamental Features

Straight Talk® Privet is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its rigidly columnar form. It has panicles of lightly-scented white flowers hanging below the branches from late spring to early summer. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy oval leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Landscape Attributes

Straight Talk® Privet is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Straight Talk® Privet is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Straight Talk® Privet will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to be a little leggy, 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 is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.