i NEVER prune recent transplants .. leaves are food making machines.. no use cutting them off.. when you need them to get the plants established .... eh ..

it will take this summer to get established ... and i would probably hesitate until next summer.. to let them grow a good root mass .. before i started thinking on pruning them ...

you have instant gratification expectations ... need to chill on that .. 3 to 5 years.. for your dreams to get moving.. in plant years ..

now.. there are many that are invasive.. and i am wondering.. if you have that kind.. since they appear to have been all over your yard to start with ... might want to get a full ID ... and decide if mail ordering something better.. for fall planting might not be wise ... and if you do so.. diversify your planting.. relying on all of one thing.. might not work out.. in the future ...

ken

Thanks, Ken. Here's the type of privet, by the way. They're not really all over... they're just in a few spots--nothing unmanageable.

Also, what do you recommend for the best mail order source? Thanks!