Privet is often offered as an evergreen shrub. That is not completely right. The plant, which belongs to the olive family, sheds its leaves in autumn and winter. A variety in which the foliage remains on the bush for a particularly long time is Privet atrovirens. How to cut this type of privet.
How to cut privet Atrovirens correctly?
Privet Atrovirens should be cut back heavily in spring and given a topiary cut in August. Young bushes are pruned more often, while older specimens do not require autumn pruning. Hedges should be trimmed conically to avoid baldness at the bottom.
The best time to cut privet atrovirens
- Strong pruning in spring
- Topiary in August
- maybe. shorten slightly in autumn
Privet atrovirens, like all types of privet, is cut several times a year. The first, severe pruning takes place in spring, a second, slightly less severe pruning takes place in August.
Only younger Privet atrovirens bushes are cut in autumn. This is no longer necessary for older copies.
Some garden experts advise against autumn pruning anyway, as the newly formed shoots can no longer harden sufficiently before winter.
Prune young bushes very often
Young privet atrovirens is cut for the first time immediately after planting. This pruning is carried out very strongly so that the plant can branch well.
By the way, you can cut the bush into any shape you want. Like all privet species, Atrovirens tolerates cutting very well and hardly takes any harm.
How to cut privet atrovirens in the hedge
Hedges made from privet atrovirens that are cut straight at the top are often seen, but it is not necessarily recommended. Due to this hedge shape, the plant does not get enough light in the lower area and over time it becomes bald.
It makes more sense to cut privet atrovirens hedges conically.
Put privet atrovirens on stick
If the hedge or shrub is heavily bare because it was not cut often or not properly, you can plant the privet in spring.
Cut all shoots – top and side – back by two-thirds. Then the privet can sprout again in the lower area.
This severe pruning does not harm the privet atrovirens. It grows so quickly that it will soon return to its previous dimensions.
Tip
When cutting, make sure that the blades of the scissors are cleaned beforehand. Otherwise, you run the risk of transferring fungal spores to the bush.