Kindly Privet

Kindly® is a compact selection of Japanese privet with dense, upright-to-rounded branching, glossy evergreen foliage, and fragrant white flowers. Proven Winners lists it as a lower-fertility, seedless option for hedging; the patent description reports no fruit production observed in its evaluation. [Proven Winners’ exact plant profile](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/ligustrum/kindly-privet-ligustrum-japonicum) · [U.S. plant patent record](https://patents.justia.com/patent/PP35881). ## Form and flowering The named cultivar is identified in its patent as Ligustrum japonicum ‘NCLJ1’ (PP35,881). It is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub, about 4–6 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide, with green leaves and a dense upright form. The flowers are white and fragrant, with the official profile listing spring, summer, and fall seasons. The patent reports no fruit production observed during its evaluation; this is a lower-seeding selection rather than a reason to assume every planting is incapable of producing seed. ## Site and landscape use Plant in full sun to part shade in USDA Zones 7–9. The exact cultivar profile describes average water and soil needs, heat and drought tolerance, and resistance to deer. Use it as a compact hedge, border, foundation shrub, or specimen where evergreen structure and a clipped, tidy outline are useful. ## Maintenance Kindly is listed as slow-growing and easy to maintain, so little pruning is usually needed. Shape lightly after flowering if desired, and water during establishment and prolonged dry weather. Allow its natural rounded form to develop instead of shearing repeatedly.