Privet: Why is its ecological value so high?

Privet: Why is its ecological value so high?
Privet: Why is its ecological value so high?
Anonim

The privet impresses not only with its beautiful appearance. The popular hedge plant provides shelter for birds and food for beneficial insects. Here you will find out what ecological value privet has and why it is a real asset to your garden.

privet ecological value
privet ecological value

Why is privet ecologically valuable?

The ecological value of privet lies in its great benefit for animals: the hedge plant offers birds shelter for nesting and insects, such as bees and butterflies, food through flowers and berries. A privet hedge can increase this value with targeted pruning and preservation of flowers and berries.

Why is the ecological value of privet so high?

Privet is also easy to care for and offers many animalsfoodas well as a naturalhabitat in the dense foliage of the hedge plant. Since both the flowers and the berries of the plant provide a food source for animals in the region, the ecological value of privet (Ligustrum) is generally considered to be quite high. Unlike some cherry laurel, the privet hedge is a very useful contact point for many animals. Among other things, the olive tree plant helps these animals:

  • Birds
  • Honeybees and wild bees
  • Butterflies

What ecological value does privet have for butterflies?

Butterflies, privet offershigh ecological benefits. There is a good reason why the animals like to stay at the privet just as much as bees and other insects. But some species of caterpillars from which butterflies emerge also value the protection of privet. One of the best-known cases here is certainly the privet hawk moth and the resulting moth. But you can also expect other butterflies when you plant privet in your garden.

Why is privet ecologically valuable for birds?

The wood is used by birds fornestingand searched forfood. It's not just small caterpillars in privet that serve as food for birds. Many native bird species also feed on privet berries. At the right time, the birds pay a visit to the privet and enrich your garden with their chirping. This is how the ecological value of a privet hedge for birds can be specifically strengthened:

  • Let flowers and berries hang on the plant
  • Do not prune during nesting season

Tip

Combine ecological and visual advantages

The privet can also be trimmed to shape in spring. The plant is known for its rapid new growth. It is a wonderful example of how optical advantages and ecological benefits can be combined. Not every hedge plant has such a high ecological value as privet.