Fallen berries sprout in groundcover and will need pulling. Many people dislike the flower smell and fruiting clusters are bare and unattractive after fruit drop. Macrophyllum' has very large leaves. California privet makes a good hedge, when plants are set 9 to 12 inches apart. The hedge requires frequent shearing, especially in hot, wet weather.
Seedlings come up everywhere and established plants are hard to get rid off.
Aureum' has leaves with a green spot in the center and bordered with golden yellow. This variety is also sold as 'Variegatum' or golden privet. It has gray-green leaves with white margins, which makes it a popular shrub for brightening dull areas of the garden. This shrub may revert to the species, which has dull, grayish leaves. These odd branches need to be pruned out.