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Straight Talk® Privet

Ligustrum vulgare 'Swift'

  • Compact Privet that Grows Tall, Not Wide - Perfect for Modern Landscapes
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
  • Grows 10-12 ft Tall, 2-4 ft Wide
  • Showy White Blooms From Late Spring to Early Summer
  • Moderate-Growing in Full Sun
Regular price $6897
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Aim for at least six hours of direct sun daily to maintain that tight, vertical form. While it handles partial shade well, less sun often leads to thinner growth and a less solid look for your hedge.
  • Soil: This privet is a champ in almost any soil but prefers a well drained spot. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost or plant the root ball slightly above the soil line to keep the roots from getting soggy.

Watering Requirements

For the first growing season, give your new plants a deep soak twice a week to help the roots dive deep into the soil. Once established, these shrubs are quite drought tolerant and only need extra water during long dry spells. If the soil stays bone dry for too long, you might notice the leaves wilting or thinning out as the plant tries to conserve energy.

Pruning Tips

Straight Talk® blooms on old wood, so wait until right after the white flowers fade in late spring if you want to enjoy the blooms. Think of pruning like a routine haircut to keep its narrow shape, using sharp shears to trim the top and sides. Frequent light trims are better than one heavy hack because they encourage the plant to fill in thickly from top to bottom.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the new leaves begin to peek out. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. Doing so pushes new, tender growth that won't have time to toughen up before the first hard freeze, which can lead to unnecessary winter dieback.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12 Week of March 2nd


Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Description

We're sure you love the classic look of Privet with its gorgeous texture, glossy dark green foliage, and "bulletproof" nature! Who wouldn't?

The exceptional Privet shrub has performed for years and years in landscapes around the world as a hedging plant and landscape workhorse. But many cultivars grow too large and can quickly overwhelm a small modern lot.

Plant scientists understand your conundrum! That's why they've worked tirelessly for years to bring a slender cultivar to market. Tough-as-nails First Editions® Straight Talk® Privet (Ligustrum vulgare 'Swift') is the solution for homeowners who demand that elegant Privet look without sacrificing too much space over their choice!

Lush Straight Talk® Privet grows tall but stays very narrow and well-kept! Like all Privets, it can be sheared or left to grow naturally, it even handles pruning and shearing without any problem if you need to keep it shorter.

Primarily grown for its thick foliage and upright habit, the Straight Talk® Privet can be sheared or left to grow naturally. If allowed to grow "fluffy", it develops tiny, fragrant white flowers in late spring that provide nectar for honey bees and butterflies.

Feed your local songbirds when the flowers turn into tiny black berries. The birds love these nearly seedless fruits and will take them quickly. The wind ripples along that lush foliage in a delightful way! Hardy deciduous shrubs throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 8, mature plants can top out at 12 feet in height and stay a slim 2-4 feet wide.

Planting and Application:

Straight Talk® choice makes a great vertical accent for any garden! Its tightly upright shape guides the eye upward to make any garden setting appear larger. You can even have some fun and create unique topiaries!

Cold-hardy Straight Talk® will be a rugged and strong backbone to your garden beds and borders. Use it in tight side yards to add a blissful sense of privacy. Stalwart Straight Talk® Privet both grounds your garden design and grows into a lovely conversation piece.

Sure, you could run these columnar shrubs all along the length of your chain link fence to hide the neighbor once and for all. But you can also use them to divide your property into a series of outdoor rooms that work hard for you and your family.

Make more room for yourself and your circle of family and friends. Reclaim space on your property by installing outdoor dining rooms, private fire pits, and enclosed Outdoor Yoga Studios. Here's how: Plant living "walls" of Straight Talk® Privet 18 inches apart on center. For the fastest results, stagger a double row in a tight zig-zag.

Grassy green carpet, green walls of Privet, and a bright blue ceiling. Sounds amazing, doesn't it?

Use Straight Talk® Privet to create a long hedge or install a short, strategic burst of privacy just where you need to block an unfortunate view. The energetic texture of the large, glossy leaves will become an outstanding asset for your property.

Commercial property owners, these hard-working shrubs elevate the look of your utility entrances and air conditioning units. Create a grand estate with their help.

Even a single Straight Talk® Privet makes an enchanting specimen at a turn in a winding garden path. Pot them up in a fancy container or upscale planter and add slim privacy and shade on an apartment balcony or back deck!

You'll find plenty of places to use these densely branched space-saving workhorses. Try a pair flanking either side of your front door, or boost the grandeur of the entrance to an outdoor kitchen!

  • Beautifully Lustrous Dark Green Foliage
  • Tiny, Fragrant White Blooms - Support Butterflies & Birds
  • Extremely Narrow Growth Habit & Vertical Accent
  • Excellent Modern Privacy Solution
  • Perfect Fit in Tight Spaces, Containers & Small Urban Gardens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This hardy Privet needs a modicum of care, especially if you'll grow it as a natural shrub without shearing. Give it full sun or partial shade...with at least four hours of daylight. It grows in a wide range of soils, as long as it doesn't remain constantly wet. Provide a moderate amount of water on a regular basis for best results and a 3-4 inch deep top-dressing of arborist mulch. We also recommend that you order Nature Hills Root Booster to have life-long support of the surface feeder roots as they access micronutrients from the soil.

Pruning your Privet as needed, but heavy pruning for shearing is best done in early spring. You can wait until after the fragrant white flowers are finished if you like. Hedges should be trimmed in a tall slightly-triangle shape, keeping the bottom wider than the top, so sunlight can support foliage all the way down to the ground.

Deer tend to pass Privet by, as do other common pests. These shrubs are salt and coastal condition-resistant, handle urban pollution, and are relatively easy to grow!

  • Grow in Full Sun or Partial Shade
  • Grows Quickly in a Variety of Soil Conditions
  • Moderate Moisture Needs
  • Shear, or Grow Naturally - Prune After Flowering
  • Easy to Grow in Urban Conditions & Great Choice for Colder Climates

This strongly vertical cultivar is hugely popular with our professional garden designer clients in many areas of the country. Please place your order for the First Editions® Straight Talk® Privet ASAP if you see it in stock on our site. Solve your toughest landscape challenges...order yours today at Nature Hills Nursery!

Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is Straight Talk® Privet hardy in?

  • Straight Talk® Privet is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. This cold-hardy deciduous shrub thrives in a wide range of climates, from northern regions to more temperate areas. Plant it confidently in these zones for reliable year-round performance.

How tall and wide does Straight Talk® Privet grow at maturity?

  • Straight Talk® Privet reaches 12 feet tall but stays remarkably narrow at just 2-4 feet wide at maturity. This columnar growth habit makes it perfect for tight spaces where traditional privets would be too wide. Shop at Nature Hills for this space-saving hedging solution.

Does Straight Talk® Privet prefer full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

  • Straight Talk® Privet thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. Like most privet varieties, it's quite adaptable to different light levels but performs best with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant in a sunny location for the densest foliage and most compact growth habit.

What type of soil does Straight Talk® Privet need to thrive?

  • Straight Talk® Privet adapts to most soil types and isn't particularly fussy about soil conditions. This hardy shrub thrives in zones 4-8 and tolerates poor soils that would challenge other plants. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, and your Privet will establish quickly in average garden soil.

How often should I water my newly planted Straight Talk® Privet?

  • Water newly planted Straight Talk® Privet deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month, then reduce to weekly watering as this bulletproof shrub establishes. Check soil moisture 2 inches down before watering. Find this hardy zone 4-8 performer at naturehills.com.

When does Straight Talk® Privet bloom and what color are the flowers?

  • Straight Talk® Privet produces tiny, fragrant white flowers in late spring. These blooms attract honey bees and butterflies, then develop into small black berries that songbirds quickly consume. Allow natural growth rather than heavy shearing in spring to ensure good flower production.

Is Straight Talk® Privet deer resistant?

  • Privet shrubs, including Straight Talk®, are generally not deer resistant and may be browsed by hungry deer. However, this tough Ligustrum variety's "bulletproof" nature means it can recover well from deer damage through zones 4-8. Plant in areas with existing deer pressure only if you're prepared to protect young plants initially.

Can Straight Talk® Privet be shipped to my location year-round?

  • Straight Talk® Privet can be shipped during appropriate planting seasons for zones 4-8. Spring and fall are typically the best shipping windows for this hardy deciduous shrub. Check your local frost dates to determine the optimal planting time in your area.

Does Straight Talk® Privet need regular pruning to maintain its shape?

  • Straight Talk® Privet maintains its naturally narrow, upright shape without regular pruning. This cultivar grows to 12 feet tall but stays just 2-4 feet wide on its own. You can shear it if you want to keep it shorter or create topiaries, but it's not necessary for shape maintenance.

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