Privet and yew are the two traditional clipped boundary hedges: privet for speed and a neat, small-leaved look, yew for a dark, dense hedge that lasts for generations. Both are supplied as young plants in 9cm pots. Free tracked delivery to Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Privet or yew?
| Plant | Character | Plants per metre |
|---|---|---|
| Oval-leaved privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) | Fast, semi-evergreen, small oval leaves; clip twice a year | 3 to 4 |
| Golden privet ('Aureum') | The same habit with golden-yellow leaves, brightest in sun | 3 to 4 |
| Yew (Taxus baccata) | Slow-growing, dark evergreen needles; clips to a formal wall and tolerates hard pruning | About 3 |
Planting and care
Plant in autumn or spring in well-drained soil. Privet suits sun to part shade; yew tolerates shade as well. Water through the first two summers. Yew is toxic if eaten, and privet berries are harmful if eaten, so keep clippings away from pets and livestock. Every pack is young plants in pots, shipped directly from our partner growers, so allow a few seasons for a hedge to knit together and water through the first two summers.
Frequently asked questions
Which grows faster, privet or yew?
Privet is much faster. Yew is slow to start but makes a very dense, long-lived hedge.
How many plants per metre?
About 3 to 4 privet or about 3 yew per metre in a single row.
Can yew be cut back hard?
Yes. Unlike most conifers, yew regrows from old wood, which is one reason it is used for formal hedges.
Is privet evergreen?
Oval-leaved privet is semi-evergreen: it keeps most of its leaves in a mild winter and may drop some in a cold one.
Planning the whole boundary? Read the guide to choosing, spacing and planting a hedge, or browse all hedge plants, screening plants and bulk hedging and box alternatives.