Is there a reason you are not shopping locally? There's quite a few excellent nurseries and garden centers in your area that can offer larger plants and without the expense of shipping costs. They can also make regionally appropriate suggestions for alternative hedging plants to privet, which is generally considered to be rather weedy.

Minors is the cheapest in the area, and they can't beat the prices I've seen on the internet, even with shipping, however, they do sell privet hedges and I see no need to go with an alternate hedge - I like the privets, though I do realize that posting about privets tends to open communication from the non-privet population. Nonetheless, I have decided on the privet.

Online nurseries, anyone?

Forestfarm sells nice plants, but if you've already seen great prices on the internet, you've probably seen cheaper plants than what FF (Oregon? Somewhere in the PNW) sells. Fairweather Nursery (NJ) also sells beautiful woody plants - they're not cheap either, though. Bluestone (OH) sells small, but healthy woodies at decent prices and the viburnums I got there have grown like gangbusters. I also got nice things from Digging Dog (CA) two years ago.

While planting most Ligustrum species in many states would be completely irresponsible and near immoral to some, they apparently aren't quite as bad (at least yet) in Wisconsin. They are listed on Wisconsin's list of potentially invasive plants, but are not listed among the officially recognized invasive plants of the state.

There are also cultivars of Lingustrum that are supposed to be less invasive than their associated species. These might be a good compromise.

There are literally tons of nurseries that sell Lingustrum. You can do a google search of Lingustrum nursery and pull up a bunch. Another way to find nurseries that sell this plant is by using Dave's Garden Plant Scout. Below is a link to that site's list of nurseries along with the species/cultivars of Lingustrum they sell.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dave's Garden Plant Scout for Lingustrum

Thanks Leslie and Brandon for the valuable information.

I ordered from Burgess Seed Co., but now I'm wondering what I'm going to actually get from them since I researched them after the fact. There are both negatives and positives out there on various forums. I spent less than $30 for 40 privet hedges (Ligustrum amurense). I would have paid $18 per plant for 1-2' if I'd gone locally.

Now we'll see what condition they're in when they arrive. I'm banking on the fact that since they're known to be hardy they will survive the delivery.

Thanks again

I got my privets earlier this week - what a joke - I basically got 40 sticks all twined together, with roots on the bottom of them. I sent them back. I would not recommend ordering from this company.

You live and you learn!

I think I'll try Bluestone or Digging Dog...

I should have told you about Garden Watchdog. It can work with Plant Scout to let you know whether a nursery is reputable. Burgess has a rating of 26% (dismal). I check Garden Watchdog before ordering from any nursery I'm not familiar with. If you find one not listed (TyTy or AArons) beware and DON'T order from them!!!

I can hardly believe I left that out. I usually add that advise in anytime I talk about Plant Scout. Sorry.

Bluestone Perennials has a GW rating of 89% (pretty good) and Digging Dog Nursery has a 92% (very good).

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Watchdog

A second vote for ForestFarm in Oregon. Not the cheapest, but a great source for uncommon plants. They have a BUNCH of stuff. Well-packaged, healthy plants, in my experience. In the top 30 for ratings in Garden Watchdog, 4,500+ products.

I have been so happy with all of my Rare Find Nursery online orders- the plants are just huge and healthy.
Seriously- four foot lilacs and hydrangeas, and the selection is to die for.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rare Find Nursery

I'll have to look at all these nurseries in the future. I did decide to go local due to the bad luck with the company I mentioned above (good thing I sent it with delivery confirmation, because they are trying to deny receipt of my return)...

I'm just surprised that when I've asked about a good privacy hedge in the past (not this post), nobody ever mentioned to me the Canadian Hemlock. I came across this one by accident, and what a beautiful evergreen shrub, especially the Monler cultivar. Now I wish I had gone with the hemlock. They are much pricier, however.

*sigh*