Light
Full sun for the brightest gold. In shade it fades to lime green.
Growing guide · Shrubs
Ligustrum × vicaryi
How to grow Golden Privet.
Gold all summer. Takes a haircut well.
- Light
- Full sun, part sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Zones
- 5–8
- Size
- 6–12 ft tall, 7–10 ft wide
- Spacing
- 5–6 ft apart, or 3 ft for a sheared hedge.
- Pets
- Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Water
Water weekly the first summer. Established plants handle dry spells.
Planting and soil
Plant in spring or fall, crown at soil level.
Feeding
A balanced slow-release feed in spring.
Pruning
Shear after flowering in early summer, and again in late summer if needed.
Through the year
Gold leaves from spring. White flowers in early summer. Small black berries in fall if not sheared.
If something's off
The flowers have a strong scent many people dislike. Privets can seed into woods, especially in the South; shearing before fruit sets stops that. Privet is toxic to pets if eaten.
Plays well with
Plant it with friends.
Why we stock it: Reliable gold color and fast growth for a hedge or screen.
That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.
Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.
Vicary Golden Privetfrom $70.99 · Arrives alive, or we replace it
The Sunday Tip · every SundayThe Sunday Tip · you're on the list
One good plant idea,
every Sunday.
You're in.
See you Sunday.
What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.
Sunday's tip is written for your zone: what to plant this week, and a kit that fits.Set your zone and Sunday's tip gets specific: what to plant this week, and a kit that fits.
Patio pot kit
Balcony Brag
Forty square feet, big opinions.
4 plants · $165.92In a pot, any zone
See the kit →
Deer-resistant border kit
Deer Can't Even
Everything in it tastes terrible to deer.
12 plants · $392.88Zones 5–8
See the kit →
Office kit
The Desk Set
Three small plants, one desk.
3 plants · $45Indoors, any zone
See the kit →
Drought garden kit
The Hot, Dry Bank
For the slope the hose doesn't reach.
14 plants · $554.86Zones 5–9
See the kit →
Mailbox garden kit
The Mailbox Bed
Curb appeal in one afternoon.
8 plants · $159.92Zones 3–10
See the kit →
Pollinator garden kit
The Pollinator Buffet
Open seating for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
14 plants · $424.86Zones 4–9
See the kit →
Shade garden kit
Shade Layers
For the spot the sun forgot.
8 plants · $151.92Zones 3–9
See the kit →
Edible kit · plant this fall
The Snack Garden
Pick it, eat it, walk away.
4 plants · $199.80Zones 5–10
See the kit →
All plant kits →