Japanese holly is one of the most commonly used shrubs in such a situation. It grows well in sun or light shade and is very tolerant of pruning -- it is often managed by cutting it back to a foot ...

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria Japonica), also called sugi, is an evergreen conifer that is hardy and fast-growing. “This selection of the Japanese red cedar grows 2 to 3 feet a year,” Bunting says.

It is not advisable to prune a privet hedge in the fall. Doing so promotes a flush of new growth that will not harden off in time and be damaged by frosts.

A: Your dark-leafed, vertical seedling with smooth-edged leaves is Japanese privet. It and its sister Amur River privet are the two most invasive plants in Texas. It is definitely not a keeper.