Privet is part of the ligustrum family. common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) is native to Britain, however, this is not the privet most widely used in this country. The suburbs of the UK are dominated by the oval leaved privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium). While privet can be started from seeds, the easiest and fastest method of propagating privet is by cuttings. Most privets are grown as hedges or property boundaries due to their tightly packed bright green leaves. All privets, regardless of variety, can easily be propagated in the same manner — by cuttings. Propagation by cuttings is generally done in late spring or early summer, right after the first new growth is in full swing.
Step One
Cut off approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches) from the tip of a new-growth branch. Strip the leaves off the bottom 15 cm (6 inches) of the cutting.
Step Two
Fill a 20 to 30 cm ( 8 to 12 inch) deep growing pot with potting soil and poke a 15 cm (6 inch) deep hole in the soil with a pencil.
Step Three
Dip the cut end of your cutting in water and then dip it into a growth hormone powder, available at any nursery or home improvement centre. Carefully insert the hormone-covered end of the cutting into the hole you made in the potting soil with your pencil. Gently press the soil around the cutting.
Step Four
Water the soil, getting it damp but not soggy and then place the pot with its cutting inside a large clear plastic bag, which will act as sort of a greenhouse, holding in moisture and humidity.
Step Five
Place the bag-covered growing pot in a bright and warm location—15.6 to 23.9 degrees Celsius (60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) -- but out of direct sunlight, for two months, or until new growth is seen on the cutting.
Step Six
Remove the plastic bag and place the cutting where it can receive direct sun for at least six hours each day as soon as new growth appears. Keep the soil damp but not soggy.
Step Seven
Plant the cutting in the ground the following spring. To form a hedge, cuttings should be planted 1.5 m (5 feet) apart.