How to Grow a Privet Hedge: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Privet hedges are a popular choice for gardeners due to their fast growth, dense foliage, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to grow and maintain a beautiful privet hedge in your garden.
Choosing the Right Privet Variety
There are several varieties of privet to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most popular varieties include:
- Ligustrum ovalifolium: This is the most common type of privet, known for its dark green, shiny foliage and white flowers. It reaches a height of 4 meters (13 feet).
- Ligustrum ovalifolium ‘Aureum’: Also known as the golden privet, this variety has lighter green and golden foliage. It also reaches a height of 4 meters (13 feet).
- Ligustrum vulgare: This native plant is semi-evergreen and has berries that are favored by birds. It is often found in mixed hedges.
- Ligustrum sinense: This deciduous species has deep green, glossy leaves and numerous panicles of sweetly-scented flowers in summer.
Planting Your Privet Hedge
The best time to plant a privet hedge is in autumn or spring. Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained soil.
- Dig a trench that is twice as wide as the root ball of your privet plants and just as deep.
- Place the plants in the trench, spacing them about 30 centimeters (1 foot) apart.
- Backfill the trench with soil and firm it down around the plants.
- Water the hedge well.
Caring for Your Privet Hedge
Privet hedges are relatively low-maintenance, but they do require some basic care to keep them healthy and looking their best.
Watering: Water your hedge regularly, especially during dry spells. Fertilizing: Fertilize your hedge once a year in spring with a balanced fertilizer. Pruning: Prune your hedge once or twice a year to maintain its shape and size.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Privet hedges are generally trouble-free, but they can sometimes be affected by pests and diseases.
Honey fungus: This is a serious fungal disease that can kill privet hedges. Look for white threads (known as mycelium) around the base of the hedge or growing among the roots, or black ‘bootlace’ like strands in dead or dying branches. There is no cure for honey fungus, so the best thing to do is remove and destroy affected plants to stop the fungus spreading. Leaf spot: This is a common fungal infection that can cause spots on the leaves of privet hedges. It is usually not serious, but it can be unsightly. You can prevent leaf spot by ensuring the soil the hedge is growing in remains moist but well-drained, and removing any leaves that fall to the ground, which could be harboring fungal spores. Rust: This is another common fungal infection that can cause reddish/orange discoloration on the leaves of privet hedges. It is also usually not serious, but it can be unsightly. You can prevent rust by ensuring the hedge has good air circulation.
Conclusion
Growing a privet hedge is a rewarding experience. By following the tips in this guide, you can grow and maintain a beautiful, healthy hedge that will provide you with privacy, shelter, and beauty for years to come.
