On Jan. 1, 2026, the common privet will join the callery pear ... See the map Common privets are commonly used as ornamental shrubs and hedgerows, and they can tolerate a variety of conditions.

As a fast-growing hedge, the importance of pruning cannot be understated, as privet can quickly get overgrown and look wild or uneven. We start by looking at the right times to head out and trim.