If you are fanatic about having a neatly trimmed hedge, one that can grow as tall as 20 feet, you will want to take a careful look at California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium).

The problems with privet don't mean you have to give up your privacy though. Many other shrubs and plants can block views of your home and yard without the invasive issues privet brings.

California privet has oval, pointed leaves up to about 2 inches long. It has clusters of sweet-smelling white flowers in late spring, though these are often pruned to make the shrub into a formal ...

Texas privet will also need regular pruning to stay at five feet although it does not grow as rampantly as glossy privet. California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) is actually native to Japan.

Parts of my privet hedge have died this summer. Should I remove the dead branches or leave well alone and hope it recovers? Parts of my privet hedge have died this summer.