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small leaf privet

Small leaf privet is one of the most versatile and widely used hedging plants in New Zealand gardens. Known for its dense, glossy foliage and ability to thrive in a variety of environments, small leaf privet is a reliable choice for those seeking formal hedges, privacy screens, or attractive topiary features. Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a home gardener, understanding the best care, planting methods, and alternative privet varieties will help you achieve the look you want in your garden.

Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer'

5 from 2 customers

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching foliage adds year round structure, texture, and colour contrast to the garden. This hardy and versatile variety is ideal for small spaces, borders, and containers.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
callisia-bubbles--3

Callisia repens

5 from 2 customers

Callisia repens goes by several common names such as the Bubbles Plant, Turtle Vine, and Pin Panther Plant. The Turtle Vine is a very popular indoor plants owing to its lush and colourful foliage. The creeping stems host small leaves that emerge with pink colouring and then age to a fresh green colour.

From $24.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 15 cm
Spread: 20 cm
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Tropical
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Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit...

From$24.77
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Haworthia Glabrata

Haworthia Glabrata is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The dark green leaves with silver lines have a rough...

From$17.87
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Scutellaria Snowflakes (Scutellaria Skullcap)

Scutellaria Snowflakes, commonly known as Scutellaria Skullcap or the Skullcaps plant, is grown for its foliage and flowers. This versatile and...

From$12.95
Coprosma robusta (Karamu) shrub growing as a specimen in a garden.
Coprosma robusta (Karamu)

Coprosma robusta, commonly known as Karamu, is a versatile New Zealand native shrub or small tree reaching up to 6 metres in height. It features...

From$7.50
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Zieria prostrata

Zieria prostrata is a low growing shrub, often used as a groundcover, and favoured for its pretty flowers. Through spring and summer, it bears masses...

From$12.95
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

Hedera helix ‘Needlepoint’ is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant...

From$14.95
Acer 'Coonara Pygmy' tree with green foliage and orange, new growth.
Acer palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy'

Acer palmatum 'Coonara Pygmy' is a delightful dwarf Japanese Maple known for its compact form and finely divided leaves. The foliage emerges soft...

From$299.95
Haworthia mirabilis 'Triebneriana' plant.
Haworthia mirabilis triebneriana (Haworthia mirabilis var Triebneriana)

Haworthia mirabilis Triebneriana is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The light green leaves with dark green...

From$15.11
Haworthia fasciata succulent growing in a pot.
Haworthia fasciata

Haworthia fasciata is a small succulent that features rosettes of thick and fleshy leaves. The dark green leaves with silver lines have a rough...

From$15.11
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) growing as a topiary hedge.
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue)

Muehlenbeckia complexa (Pohuehue) is a vigorous, hardy NZ native climber or groundcover. It features wiry, twining stems and small, glossy green...

From$20.63
Haworthia resendeana plant.
Haworthia resendeana

Haworthia resendeana is a small succulent features thick and fleshy leaves on short stems. The dark green leaves have a rough texture and afford...

From$20.63
A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Ilex crenata 'Convexa'

Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its small glossy dark green leaves and naturally dense growth habit. Often used as an...

From$27.53
Acer 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa'

Acer palmatum 'Mikawa Yatsubusa' is a sought-after dwarf Japanese Maple prized for its dense, layered foliage and elegant form. Its small...

From$299.95
Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla) plants with lush green foliage.
Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage...

From$44.95
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Fuscospora cliffortioides (Mountain Beech)

Commonly known as Mountain Beech, this is a large, evergreen tree native to NZ. The foliage comprises small, dark green leaves which are held densely...

From$270.40
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
Pittosporum eugenioides tree with lush, dark green foliage and cream-coloured flowers.
Pittosporum eugenioides (Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides, commonly known as Tarata or Lemonwood, is a fast-growing native New Zealand tree valued for its glossy green leaves and...

From$15.04
Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) standard trees bordering a driveway.
Prunus lusitanica

Prunus lusitanica, commonly known as the Portuguese Laurel, is a large shrub that is widely grown across the world. It features dark red stems that...

From$28.95
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Azara microphylla

Azara microphylla (Vanilla Tree) is a graceful evergreen tree admired for its small glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant yellow flowers. In spring...

From$387.55
Acer palmatum 'Fireglow' bright red foliage.
Acer 'Fireglow'

Acer 'Fireglow' is a striking Japanese maple prized for its brilliant deep red foliage that holds colour exceptionally well throughout the season...

From$349.95
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Fuscospora solandri (Black Beech)

Commonly known as Black Beech, this is a large, evergreen tree native to NZ. The foliage comprises small, dark green leaves which are held densely in...

From$270.40
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Osmanthus heterophyllus

Osmanthus heterophyllus, commonly known as False Holly, is an evergreen shrub grown for its attractive foliage and pretty flowers. It produces spiny...

From$37.19
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
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Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia'

Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia' is an elegant evergreen holly admired for its narrow dark green leaves and dense upright growth habit. This hardy...

From$136.04
An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.
Rose White Romance

“White Romance” is a very popular shrub rose that features masses pure white flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$38.57
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry) tree with masses of black berries.
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry)

Aristotelia serrata, commonly known as Wineberry or Makomako, is a fast-growing, deciduous native tree of New Zealand. It features serrated green...

From$22.01
Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses...

From$28.91
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Rose Raspberry Ice

“Raspberry Ice” is a Floribunda shrub rose that features large and showy flowers that are cream with a raspberry coloured margin. The lightly...

From$44.09
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Rose Ann Turner

Rose Ann Turner is a climbing rose that features masses of double, pink flowers. The blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn provided the...

From$30.29
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Tilia cordata

Tilia cordata (Small Leaved Lime) is a majestic deciduous tree admired for its symmetrical form, heart shaped green leaves, and highly fragrant pale...

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Phormium 'Surfer'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Callisia, and Coprosma, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, and Indoor Plants.

Search small leaf privet

What Is Small Leaf Privet?

Small leaf privet typically refers to compact privet varieties with finer leaves, making them highly desirable for neat, structured hedges and low-maintenance borders. Their small, oval leaves grow densely along slender branches, creating an appealing evergreen look year-round. Small leaf privet tolerates regular pruning, shaping easily into crisp, structured forms.

Planting and Growing Conditions

Small leaf privet is highly adaptable and can thrive in a range of soil types, from sandy loam to clay. It prefers full sun to partial shade, making it suitable for most New Zealand gardens. For an optimal hedge, space plants approximately 30–50cm apart. Water well during establishment and mulch to retain moisture. Once established, small leaf privet demonstrates drought tolerance and minimal maintenance requirements. Regular trimming in late spring or early summer keeps the hedge neat and healthy.

Uses in Landscaping

Small leaf privet is especially popular for formal hedges, low barriers, and pathway edging. Its responsive growth means it can also be maintained as topiary balls or other decorative forms. For coastal, urban, or rural properties, small leaf privet offers year-round greenery and privacy solutions. It can even serve as a backdrop for flowering perennials and feature plants.

Alternative Privet Varieties

If you love the look of small leaf privet, you may also be interested in other privet varieties, each with unique characteristics. Consider browsing these related evergreen options:

Maintenance Tips

To keep your small leaf privet healthy and looking smart, prune lightly and often to maintain the desired shape. Fertilise in late winter with a slow-release fertiliser, and keep an eye out for signs of root rot in poorly drained soils. With the right care, your small leaf privet hedge or feature will provide decades of performance and appeal.

For more ideas on the best privet for your garden, explore our range of Ligustrum species and discover the right evergreen solution for every space.

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.
Love Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma) and Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald'? Then you’ll adore the quiet charm of Hedera helix 'Golden Ingot', Coprosma 'Red Rocks', and Lavender 'Major'.
–The Plant Company

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