Eastern Red Cedar vs Wild Privet - TreeTime.ca

Eastern Red Cedar vs Wild Privet

Juniperus virginiana

Ligustrum vulgare

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Eastern Red Cedar
Wild Privet

Eastern Red Cedar is native to eastern Canada and is actually a variety of juniper, not cedar. Its pyramidal crown, low hanging branches, and dense, compact foliage makes it an ideal windbreak or shelterbelt tree.

Eastern Red Cedar will attract wildlife to your yard and provide food and shelter for multiple varieties of birds. If you are on the east coast looking to create a windbreak, consider Eastern Red Cedar.

Wild Privet is a fast growing ornamental shrub that is well suited for forming hedges and privacy screens. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They have small white flowers, though the smell is often considered unpleasant. While the berries are inedible, they are a good food source for many bird species.

It is recommended to prune Wild Privet immediately after flowering, as it can readily self seed. It is deer and rabbit tolerant. It can grow in dry areas, on slopes, and withstand the wind making it well suited for many growing conditions.

Eastern Red Cedar Quick Facts

Wild Privet Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: If ingested, all parts of this plant will cause severe discomfort. Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses
Flowers: white
Berries: black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC
Other Names: common privet, european privet