Privet is not so popular for nothing because it forms opaque hedges with its many small leaves. If the shrub loses a massive amount of leaves, it is a cause for concern for most garden owners. The concern is only justified if the shrub sheds a lot of leaves in summer.
Why is my privet losing its leaves?
A privet naturally loses its leaves in autumn and winter. In summer, however, incorrect care, such as substrate that is too moist or dry, incorrect fertilization, pest infestation or fungal diseases, can cause the shrub to lose a lot of leaves. Careful care and treatment if necessary can help.
Why does privet lose its leaves?
Why a privet loses its leaves depends on the season. In autumn and winter, massive leaf drop is completely normal.
It looks different in summer. If the bush then sheds a lot of leaves, care errors are almost always responsible, but sometimes pests are also responsible.
Shedding leaves in autumn and winter is normal
Privet is not an evergreen plant, even if it is often claimed. There are some varieties like Atrovirens that keep their foliage for a particularly long time, but by spring all the leaves have fallen off.
If the privet loses its leaves in winter, it is a completely natural process. The privet sprouts again in spring and produces many new leaves.
The privet loses a lot of leaves in summer
If the privet loses a lot of leaves in the summer, you should think about care. Even though the shrub is very easy to care for, it still needs some attention. Possible causes of leaf drop in summer are:
- Substrate too moist / too dry
- too much / too little fertilizer
- Pest Infestation
- Fungal diseases
Privet must never dry out completely, but it tolerates waterlogging even less. Water more often during dry periods. To prevent waterlogging, it helps to create a drainage system (€17.00 on Amazon) in the ground.
You should be careful when fertilizing. Privet likes neither too few nor too many nutrients.
Pest infestation or fungi
If the leaves curl up and then fall off, the privet aphid could be responsible. If spots appear on the foliage, it is probably an infestation with leaf spot fungus.
Treatment is only necessary if the infestation is very massive. The privet can usually cope with minor illnesses on its own.
Tip
You should collect fallen leaves with fungal or pest infestation and dispose of them in the household waste. Under no circumstances should it be used on compost or as mulching material. This would only encourage the spread in the garden.
