If the privet has curled leaves in spring, the garden owner must assume that a pest has attacked the shrub or hedge. Why do the leaves curl up and how dangerous is this for the privet?
Why do privet leaves curl up?
Privet leaves curl up when the plant is infested with privet aphids. This problem usually occurs in spring and leaves he althy hedges to deal with it on their own. If the infestation is severe, we recommend removing affected shoots and natural pest control.
Privet – leaves curl up
The problem of privet leaves curling, drying out and eventually falling off occurs primarily in spring.
The sight may not be very pretty, but you don't have to worry that the privet is suffering from a serious disease. The cause is a pest infestation by the privet aphid.
He althy privet hedges can handle an infestation quite well on their own. So you don't necessarily have to do anything as long as the privet aphid does not appear in epidemics.
Fight privet aphid
If the pest infestation is very severe, you can try using special pesticides. It's even better if you rely on natural enemies of the louse, ladybirds and lacewings.
But usually the nightmare is over after a few weeks and the privet sprouts new, he althy leaves.
Cut off affected shoots
If the sight of the rolled, dried leaves bothers you very much, cut off all affected shoots generously. Privet can easily tolerate severe pruning.
Do not throw the cuttings into the compost, but dispose of them in the household waste. This also applies to the fallen leaves, which you should rake up and put in the trash can.
Prevention is almost impossible
It is almost impossible to prevent privet leaves from curling up due to a privet aphid infestation. Make sure the shrub is he althy. Do not plant the privet too densely in the hedge and thin out the bushes regularly:
- ensure a balanced supply of nutrients
- Don’t let privet dry out
- Avoid waterlogging
- Thinning plants regularly
- don't plant too densely in the hedge
If the soil is very poor in nutrients, you should apply additional fertilization consisting of compost and horn shavings. This strengthens the privet so that it can overcome the infestation without any problems.
Tip
If the privet loses its leaves in autumn and winter, it is a natural process. The shrub is not evergreen. In spring the leaves sprout again.