Privet hedges are very popular for a reason. The robust native shrub requires little care other than regular pruning and is rarely diseased or attacked by pests. What do you have to consider when creating a privet hedge and how do you plant and care for a privet hedge?
How do I optimally plant and care for a privet hedge?
To plant a privet hedge, choose a sunny to partially shaded location with well-drained soil. Plant them in autumn at a distance of 30-50 cm (depending on plant size) and cut the shoots back by two thirds immediately after planting. Regular pruning and watering, as well as annual fertilization, contribute to optimal growth conditions.
Benefits of a privet hedge
Privet is very fast growing. If pruned regularly, it forms many branches, so that the hedge quickly becomes opaque. Illnesses are very rare and are usually only caused by care errors. The privet can usually cope with pest infestations on its own.
The shrub is not evergreen, but the leaves of some varieties remain on the bush well into the winter, especially in bright locations, so that you have sufficient privacy even in winter.
The privet is also a good choice from an ecological point of view - in contrast to the cherry laurel - as the flowers and fruits provide a good source of food for native insects and birds.
Buying the privet plants
Privet comes in numerous types. Almost all of them are suitable for planting as hedges. Only the non-hardy varieties such as Chinese privet are cultivated exclusively as bonsai or container plants.
Most varieties grow up to four meters high. If you are looking for a variety with long-lasting foliage, Privet atrovirens is the right choice.
A good location for a privet hedge
Privet likes it sunny and partially shaded. It doesn't tolerate direct shade very well.
The soil must be permeable to water, as the shrub cannot cope with waterlogging.
The best time to plant a privet hedge
Basically, you can plant a privet hedge at any time of the year - except when there is frost. However, autumn is the best time because the soil has more moisture than in spring or summer. The young plants then don’t need to be watered as much.
Preparations for planting the hedge
Dig a planting trench that is twice as wide as the root ball of the privet bushes.
Mix the substrate with mature compost and horn shavings so that you have to fertilize less later.
If the soil is very dense, you should create drainage to prevent waterlogging from forming.
The ideal planting distance
The planting distance depends on the size of the plants purchased. How quickly the hedge should grow tall and thick also plays a role.
Smaller privet bushes should be planted 30 cm apart; for larger ones, the planting distance should be around 50 cm.
How to plant privet correctly
- Watering privet
- Insert plant
- Come to Earth
- Drawing a watering ditch
- pour well
Water the privet bushes for about 24 hours before planting. As a rule, you only need to cut open the bale wrapping. It rots on its own over time.
Place the bushes so that the root ball is just covered. Press the soil well. Dig a small watering trench around each plant, especially if you are planting during a fairly dry period.
Water the hedge immediately, even if it is raining or rain is forecast.
The first pruning
The first pruning takes place immediately after planting. This is done very heavily, the shoots are shortened by up to two thirds. This strong pruning is necessary so that the privet branches well and the hedge thickens more quickly.
If you omit this pruning, the hedge will remain leaky in the lower area.
Keeping the privet hedge in shape
In the first few years you have to cut a privet hedge three times, in spring, August and early autumn. Later, cutting twice is enough.
Cut the privet as conically as possible. With a square cut, the plant doesn't get enough light at the bottom and becomes bald.
If the privet hedge is already very bare at the bottom, you should cut the bushes to size in spring. This means that you shorten all shoots – top and side – by two-thirds.
Watering and fertilizing the privet hedge
Privet doesn't like it dry or too moist. Therefore, water very young plants often, but make sure that there is no waterlogging.
Fertilize the hedge in spring by giving it compost (€43.00 on Amazon) and horn shavings. Conifer fertilizer is also suitable as a long-term fertilizer.
Short-term fertilizer such as blue grain is given twice, each time approximately 14 days before new growth begins. Fertilization takes place here at the end of April and beginning of August.
Create mulch cover
The privet hedge will do very well if you put a layer of mulch underneath it. To do this, use leaves, grass clippings, straw or chopped hedge trimmings.
The mulching material supplies the bushes with nutrients and there is no risk of over-fertilizing the hedge.
The mulch layer also ensures that the soil does not dry out too much and so the soil always remains slightly moist but not wet.
Tip
You can easily propagate privet yourself from cuttings, cuttings or cuttings. To do this, simply use the trimmings that are left over from cutting back the privet hedge.
