Privet is not just a popular hedge plant. It can also be grown as a topiary, standard tree and even as a bonsai. Propagating this undemanding shrub is extremely easy. How to propagate privet.
How to propagate privet?
Privet can be propagated by cuttings, cuttings, sinkers or seeds. Cuttings root easily and quickly when young 20 cm long shoots are planted in pots or outdoors in spring. Cuttings are small woody branches that are stuck into the ground in late summer, while cuttings are grown from long shoots of a mother plant.
Methods to propagate privet
- Cuttings
- Cuttings
- Lowers
- Seeds
Propagation via seeds from the slightly poisonous berries is theoretically possible, but is almost never used. The seeds germinate very slowly, and you need a lot of patience until a small privet plant grows.
Propagation via cuttings, cuttings or planters is possible without any problems, as the shoots root very quickly. Since the shrub has to be cut frequently, especially in the first few years, a lot of shoots are required for propagation.
Propagate privet via cuttings
To propagate privet from cuttings, you need young shoots. They should be 20 cm long. Spring is the best time for propagating cuttings.
Remove the lower leaves and cut off the shoot tip. This will ensure that the offshoot branches better later. Insert the cuttings into prepared pots or outdoors so deep into the soil that about five cm still stick out at the top. Water generously with water so that the cuttings can quickly form roots.
Rooting occurs very quickly. You can usually plant the young privet plants in the desired location as a hedge or individual shrub in autumn.
Putting sticks in the ground
Small privet branches that are already woody serve as cuttings. The best time for this type of propagation is late summer.
You simply stick the branches into the ground at the intended location, a few centimeters deep. Tread the soil well so that the cutting stick sits firmly.
Now the offshoot just needs a lot of water so that it can root. This almost always works. To be on the safe side, add a few more pieces of wood so that you can replace any failures.
Pulling privet from sinkers
To grow privet from sinkers, you need a mature mother plant with shoots long enough to bend down to the ground.
Carefully score the shoot with the knife and place it on the ground. Pile soil on top and, if necessary, attach the lowering anchor with tent pegs (€7.00 on Amazon) or stones. The tip of the shoot must still be visible above the ground. Don't forget to supply the sinker with water.
You can recognize rooting by the new growth of leaves and small twigs. Now you can separate the offshoot from the mother plant and plant it in the garden.
Tip
A privet hedge is probably the easiest type of hedge to care for. Apart from frequent pruning, it hardly needs any care. Privet is robust and frugal and therefore particularly suitable for care in the city.