The privet is an extremely robust plant that rarely suffers from diseases or pest infestations. If the privet suddenly has yellow leaves that fall off in the summer, you have probably overdone it with the care.
Why does privet have yellow leaves?
Privet gets yellow leaves usually due to over-fertilization, as the plant reacts sensitively to an excess of nutrients. To avoid this, fertilize sparingly and use slow-release fertilizer or compost and horn shavings in spring.
Yellow leaves on privet due to over-fertilization
Privet needs nutrients, but it resents an oversupply. It reacts by causing the leaves to turn yellow and eventually fall off.
Therefore, never overdo fertilizing. On well-prepared soil, you hardly need to fertilize at all.
In order to stimulate the privet's growth, you may add some compost and horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon) in the spring, or provide the shrub with long-term fertilizer. Only short-term fertilizers such as blue grain are administered twice a year.
Tip
If the leaves of the privet curl up and then fall off, you can assume an infestation by the privet aphid. This pest occurs more frequently, but is generally not dangerous to privet.
