Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

privet bushes

Privet bushes are one of the best choices for New Zealand gardeners looking for fast-growing, hardy, and versatile hedging plants. Famous for their dense, glossy green foliage and their reliability in a variety of conditions, privet bushes are ideal for creating privacy screens, shaping formal hedges, and offering shelter for wildlife in garden landscapes. With their moderate to rapid growth and minimal maintenance needs, privet bushes provide a practical solution for both rural and urban properties, thriving in most soil types and handling regular trimming with ease.

ligustrum-rotundifolium-4

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

5 from 1 customers

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit. This versatile plant is widely used in NZ gardens for hedging, screening, and formal planting where year round structure and privacy are desired.

From $24.77

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (Golden Privet) yellow foliage.

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum'

5 from 1 customers

Ligustrum ovalifolium 'Aureum' (Golden Privet) is a bright evergreen shrub valued for its golden yellow and green variegated foliage. Well suited to New Zealand gardens, it provides year round colour and strong structure.

From $24.77

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$18.95
Large Muehlenbeckia astonii shrub in a garden.
Muehlenbeckia astonii (Mingimingi)

Muehlenbeckia astonii, commonly known as the Wiggy Wig Bush or Shrubby Tororaro, is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub characterised by its...

From$20.63
Dodonaea viscosa small tree with green foliage.
Dodonaea viscosa (Green Ake Ake)

Dodonaea viscosa, commonly known as the Green Ake Ake, features lush, bright green leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$13.95
A Teucrium fruticans rounded shrub with grey foliage and blue flowers.
Teucrium fruticans

Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its attractive silvery foliage and soft blue flowers that appear through...

From$18.95
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
Buddleia fallowiana 'Lochinch' purple flower cluster amidst lush grey foliage.
Buddleia 'Lochinch'

Buddleia ‘Lochinch’ (Butterfly Bush) is a fast growing deciduous shrub admired for its long sprays of soft lavender blue flowers and silvery green...

From$26.15
Gardenia florida spectacular white flower amidst dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Florida'

Gardenia florida is a compact, evergreen shrub renowned for its glossy, green foliage and richly fragrant, white blooms that appear from late spring...

From$18.95
A fabulous Convolvulus cneorum plant with grey foliage and masses of white flowers.
Convolvulus cneorum

Convolvulus cneorum Silver Bush is a striking compact shrub valued for its silvery foliage and masses of bright white funnel shaped flowers. This sun...

From$20.63
ligustrum-vulgare--2
Ligustrum vulgare

Ligustrum vulgare (Privet) is a hardy deciduous to semi evergreen shrub valued for its dense branching, lush green foliage, and versatility in the...

OUT OF STOCK
ligustrum-sinense-
Ligustrum sinense

Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet) is a fast growing shrub or small tree with dense green foliage, fragrant white flowers, and dark berries. It was...

OUT OF STOCK
Lonicera pileata shrub with small, green foliage.
Lonicera pileata

Lonicera pileata (Privet Honeysuckle) is a hardy, low growing evergreen shrub valued for its neat form and glossy foliage. It forms a dense...

OUT OF STOCK
ligustrum-undulatum-
Ligustrum undulatum

Ligustrum undulatum (Box Leaf Privet) is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth, small glossy green leaves, and tidy rounded form. It...

OUT OF STOCK
ligustrum-lucidum-
Ligustrum lucidum

Ligustrum lucidum (Tree Privet) is an evergreen tree with glossy green leaves, clusters of small creamy flowers, and dark berries. Although it was...

OUT OF STOCK
Ceratopetalum Shiraz shrub with masses of red flowers.
Ceratopetalum Shiraz (Festival Bush)

Ceratopetalum Shiraz, commonly known as the Australian Christmas Bush, features masses of red-pink, star shaped flowers open during spring. The fine...

OUT OF STOCK
White and green foliage on Coprosma 'Marble Queen'.
Coprosma 'Marble Queen' (Variegated Mirror Bush)

Coprosma 'Marble Queen' is an eye catching evergreen shrub valued for its glossy foliage marbled with cream and green tones. Well suited to New...

OUT OF STOCK
adenanthos-baby--1
Adenanthos sericeus Baby (Wooly Bush)

Adenanthos sericeus Baby is a shrub that is grown for its interesting foliage and short stature. The needle-like foliage is held densely and is dark...

OUT OF STOCK
calocephalus-silver-nugget--1
Calocephalus Silver Nugget (Dwarf Cushion Bush)

Calocephalus 'Silver Nugget' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its finely branched silver foliage that creates a soft, rounded mound of colour...

OUT OF STOCK
backhousia-anisata-
Backhousia anisata (Myrtle Bush)

Backhousia anisata, commonly known as the Aniseed Myrtle Tree, is a medium sized tree grown for its impressive flowering and delicate foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Red foliage on Syzygium 'Bush Christmas' plants.
Syzygium 'Bush Christmas'

Syzygium 'Bush Christmas' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its glossy foliage and vibrant festive red new growth. This attractive lilly...

OUT OF STOCK
Potentilla Raspberry Delight plant with fine green foliage and elegant pink flowers.
Potentilla Raspberry Delight (Bush Cinquefoil)

Potentilla 'Raspberry Delight' is a compact deciduous shrub admired for its vibrant raspberry pink flowers and exceptionally long flowering season...

OUT OF STOCK
Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Midget' plant.
Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Midget' (Stardust Bush)

Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Midget' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of delicate flowers and fine textured foliage that create year round...

OUT OF STOCK
viburnum-notcutts-variety-
Viburnum opulus 'Notcutt's Varieity' (Snowball Bush)

Viburnum opulus 'Notcutts Variety' is a beautiful deciduous shrub prized for its elegant clusters of white spring flowers, attractive green foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
baccharis-pilularis-1
Baccharis pilularis (Coyote Brush)

Baccharis pilularis, commonly known as Coyote Bush, is a hardy evergreen shrub native to coastal regions. It forms a dense, mound-like habit with...

OUT OF STOCK
royena-lucida--2
Royena lucida (African Snowdrop Bush)

Royena lucida is an attractive evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy dark green foliage and compact growth habit. This hardy plant...

OUT OF STOCK
Viburnum opulus white flowers on a stem.
Viburnum opulus (Snowball Bush)

Viburnum opulus is a hardy deciduous shrub admired for its attractive clusters of white spring flowers, vibrant red berries, and brilliant autumn...

OUT OF STOCK
adenanthos-silver-streak-
Adenanthos Silver Streak (Woolly Bush)

Adenanthos Silver Streak, commonly known as Woolly Bush, is a shrub grown for its interesting foliage. The needle-like foliage is held densely and is...

OUT OF STOCK
phylica-plumosa-
Phylica plumosa (Flannel Bush)

Phylica plumosa (Feather Flower) is an unusual and highly decorative evergreen shrub prized for its soft, feathery foliage and attractive flower...

OUT OF STOCK
calocephalus-brownii-
Calocephalus brownii (Cushion Bush)

Commonly known as the Cushion Bush, Calocephalus brownii is an impressive Australian native grown for its colourful stems and great form. It produces...

OUT OF STOCK
Melaleuca hypericifolia green foliage and red flower.
Melaleuca hypericifolia (Hillock Bush)

Melaleuca hypericifolia is an attractive Australian native shrub admired for its vibrant red bottlebrush style flowers and lush green foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Olearia phlogopappa shrub with white flowers.
Olearia phlogopappa (Shrubby Daisy Bush)

Olearia phlogopappa, also known as the Dusty Daisy Bush, is a highly ornamental shrub valued for its prolific daisy like flowers and silvery foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buddleia, Convolvulus, and Dodonaea, or related Categories - Perennials, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search privet bushes

Benefits of Growing Privet Bushes in New Zealand

Privet bushes shine in New Zealand’s diverse climate. Their adaptability to wind, drought, and varying sun levels makes them a favourite among both beginner and experienced gardeners. Privet’s compact habit forms an effective privacy or wind barrier, blocking out noise and sheltering delicate plants. Their evergreen leaves ensure year-round cover, and their dense growth habit makes it easy to achieve a lush, clipped hedge. Many gardeners also appreciate the delicate white flowers in late spring and summer, which attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Popular Types of Privet Bushes

Several privet varieties are specially suited to New Zealand gardens. The classic Ligustrum vulgare (Common Privet) is a timeless hedging shrub, known for its rapid growth and resilience, making it popular for large-scale screening. Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet) is another fast-growing option, well-suited for more informal or natural-looking boundaries. Ligustrum undulatum (Box Leaf Privet) features small, box-like leaves and is ideal for neat, formal hedges or topiary shapes.

For those seeking something a bit different, Ligustrum Rotundifolium (Ligustrum japonicum) offers rounded, glossy leaves and a robust growth habit. It’s especially attractive in more ornamental settings. If you need a larger specimen or even a small shade tree, consider Ligustrum lucidum (Tree Privet), which grows taller than other varieties and offers an elegant, layered appearance.

How to Plant and Care for Privet Bushes

Privet bushes are easy to grow and maintain. Choose a well-drained site with full sun to partial shade for best results. Dig a hole twice as wide as the rootball, and enrich the soil with compost if needed. Space plants according to your chosen variety (usually 50cm to 1m apart) for a dense, seamless hedge. Water your privet bushes regularly during their first growing season to establish strong roots.

Trim privet regularly in spring and summer to keep hedges tidy and encourage branched, leafy growth. They respond well to hard pruning if you need to reduce their size or rejuvenate older bushes. Privet is generally disease-resistant and trouble-free, requiring only occasional feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser.

Find the Best Privet Bushes for Your Garden

Whether you’re starting a new boundary hedge, refreshing an old screen, or seeking a hardy living wall, privet bushes are a reliable and attractive choice for New Zealand gardens. Explore classic varieties like Ligustrum vulgare (Common Privet), the adaptable Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet), or the decorative Ligustrum Rotundifolium (Ligustrum japonicum) to find the perfect privet for your needs. With minimal care, your new hedge will thrive and create a beautiful, green backdrop for years to come.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
We love Stromanthe Triostar and Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' as much as anyone, but part of the fun is discovering Camellia 'Paradise Belinda', Buxus sempervirens 'variegata', and Prunus 'Thundercloud'.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

463 Google reviews