Privet is a shrub that likes it very bright. You should therefore not put it directly in the shade. Other hedge plants such as thuja or cherry laurel are better suited for very shady locations.
Does privet tolerate shade?
Privet prefers bright locations, but also tolerates partial shade. It grows more slowly and can become bald if it does not receive enough light. Thuja or cherry laurel are better suited for shady areas. Avoid direct midday sun on young plants.
Do not plant privet in too much shade
Privet can cope with almost any location, but it is not a particularly shade plant. Although it doesn't die in the shade, it grows very slowly if it doesn't get enough light.
It will also become bald over time if not enough sunlight reaches the lower regions of the bush. Especially species that have a beautiful color, such as the golden privet, need a lot of sun so that the leaves retain their color.
Suitable locations for privet are:
- Sunny locations (morning and evening sun)
- little direct midday sun
- under taller trees
- Penumbra
Avoid the blazing midday sun
Even if the privet prefers it sunny, the young bushes do not tolerate it so well if they are exposed to too much direct midday sun.
This is especially true in winter, as the bushes evaporate a lot of water through their remaining leaves when the sun shines. If the ground is frozen, the loss of fluid cannot be compensated for. The bush then dries up.
A young privet hedge therefore thrives better under light shade from taller trees or light sun protection. The sun no longer bothers older bushes so much.
Privet is not evergreen
Privet is often presented as evergreen, but this is not entirely correct. This misunderstanding occurs because the shrub retains its foliage for a very long time. It often only falls off over the course of the winter or even when the new leaves sprout.
The brighter the location, the longer the leaves stay on the bush. This is important for privet hedges, as they remain opaque for much longer in a bright location. Therefore, do not plant a privet hedge directly in the shade, but rather choose a partially shaded or sunny spot.
Tip
Never cut privet straight, instead choose a conical shape. This means that the shrub also receives sufficient light in the lower regions and does not go bald as quickly.