While it is completely natural for the non-evergreen privet to shed its leaves in the winter, leaf loss in the summer is a warning sign. Why does privet lose its leaves in summer?
Why does privet lose leaves in summer?
Privet loses leaves in summer due to care errors such as incorrect watering and nutrient supply, pest infestation such as privet aphid and black weevil or fungal diseases such as leaf spot. To prevent this, ensure proper care and pest control if necessary.
Causes of falling leaves on privet in summer
There are a number of possible causes of falling leaves in summer:
- Privet is too wet / too dry
- too much or too little nutrients
- Fungal infestation
- Pests
Care errors are much more often the cause of early leaf shedding than diseases and pests. To prevent leaf shedding, make sure you care for the shrub or hedge properly.
Privet loses leaves due to incorrect care
In very dry times, privet suffers greatly. You therefore have to water it occasionally, especially in summer, especially when the plants are still very young.
But the opposite can also be responsible for the privet losing its leaves. It doesn't tolerate waterlogging at all. Therefore, ensure that the soil is well-drained when planting and, if necessary, create drainage.
Too much of nutrients can weaken the privet just as much as too little. Therefore, fertilize sparingly. It is usually enough to give it ripe compost or horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon) in the spring. You should be particularly careful with blue grain.
Leaf dropping due to pest infestation
The privet aphid causes the leaves to curl up and then fall off. Control is usually not necessary.
Occasionally leaves fall off because the black weevil, or rather its larvae, feast on the roots of the privet. In this case, nematodes, roundworms that consume the larvae from the inside, help. You can buy these natural enemies in special garden stores.
Fungal diseases as a cause of falling leaves
If the leaves get spots before they fall off, it may be leaf spot fungus. You can hardly prevent an infestation. However, the problem is usually over when the leaves are dropped. To be on the safe side, you should pick up the fallen leaves and dispose of them with household waste.
Tip
It's usually not particularly tragic when the privet sheds its leaves in summer. It can handle a pest or fungal infestation quite well on its own.
