Some garden owners are surprised that the newly planted privet hedge is growing nicely upwards, but is becoming increasingly barren at the bottom. To get an opaque privet hedge, you need to cut the bushes regularly. Use these tips to get your privet thicker.
How to make a privet grow denser?
To make a privet denser, you should shorten the shoots by 2/3 after planting and initially cut them three times a year. The hedge should be trimmed conically to allow more light into the lower areas. Water sufficiently after cutting.
How do you get the privet closer?
The reason why the privet is becoming more and more bare, especially at the bottom, is that the shrub doesn't get enough light at the bottom.
On the other hand, the privet needs regular pruning, especially at the beginning. Only then does it sprout many new branches that make the privet denser.
Privet is not an evergreen plant. Most species lose their leaves in autumn and winter and sprout again in spring. Some varieties such as Privet atrovirens retain their foliage for a long time even in winter and only shed the old leaves in the course of spring.
Cut, cut and cut again
- Short by 2/3 after planting
- cutting 3 times a year initially
- later twice a year
- cut conical and not straight
To make the privet thicker, you often have to use secateurs (€14.00 on Amazon). This begins after the new planting. Shorten the shoots by about two-thirds of their length. This may hurt at first, but it is necessary so that the privet becomes opaque later.
In the first few years you need to cut back privet at least three times, in spring, August and again in autumn.
Later, cutting twice is sufficient if you thin out the privet a little at the same time.
Cut privet conically into shape
So that the privet is opaque at the bottom, it is better to cut it conically rather than squarely. This allows daylight to reach the lower regions of the bush, so that more leaves grow and new branches sprout.
Watering after cutting
Once you have cut the privet, give it a good portion of water. He needs this to have more strength for new growth.
Tip
You should not throw away the cuttings that occur when you cut back the privet. Chop it up a little and just leave it under the privet. This makes an excellent green manure.