old privet hedge in need of some help!
beautifulboy
14 years ago
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beautifulboy
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Privet Hedges (Ligustrum) - Dormant or Growing?
Comments (1)You posted to the wrong forum....See MoreWhen/How to Prune Privet Hedges?
Comments (2)Privets are pretty tough cookies, and even if you sheared them to the ground, they would probably start sending more shoots up. They also grow fairly fast. Since you are not growing them for their flowers, you can prune in June, and again in late August. Twice a year should do it. When you achieve the desired height and width, just keep pruning to that shape. Basically, the more you prune, the denser the hedge will get. If you want to get some more Privets going for the ones which died, just propagate a stem cutting. They will root easily in a pot in one season - maybe less - and you'll be able to fill-in those gaps. Nicole....See MorePrivet Hedge Help?
Comments (8)The fact that Zooba's hedge is wider at the base than at the top is an indication that he or she knows what he or she is doing. Way too often, I see the reverse. Where did the idea come from that one should cut inward at the base. I'm convinced it's all just monkey see-monkey do. This is perfectly done here. I do see what might be a bit of wild morning glory or field bindweed sticking out the end. No big deal, and certainly not why portions are suffering, but just thought I'd mention. I think it likely to be bits of shaded area, or straight-up competition with the neighboring trees. If nothing else, see to it that no part of the hedge is being forced to grow in too-dry soil due to any possible competition with maple tree roots. Maples are indeed fierce competitors for moisture and soil nutrients. Not absolutely saying this is the cause, but it does suggest something to look at. Then too, the obvious light factor-if any part is shaded, it's going to grow differently. good luck-you've got a really decent hedge going there. +oM...See MoreCan You Propagate a Privet Hedge by Putting Branches in the Ground?
Comments (14)Hi khearns, It turned out great, but I made a couple mistakes. Hopefully, this information will help you: I would recommend not planting the cuttings as close together as we did. Ours got pretty big by the third year, and you can always propagate more to fill in spots, if needed. Second, make sure there is nothing directly next to the hedge like a fence or wall (ours were planted in front of a tall fence). Likely, it was because of these mistakes that our privet did not thrive. They did not have good air circulation and contracted downy mildew. I ended up digging them all out last fall. I removed the fence as well. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5770864/what-ails-our-privet With the hedge, we were hoping to block the view of our woodpile from the road. I suppose the woodpile doesn't look too bad, but I wouldn't mind trying another natural hedge. I don't know as if I really want a privet hedge anymore, though. We tried blue prince/princess holly before the privet, but that did not work out too well, either (too much winter die back/slow growth). I do think hicks yew might be a good option for a natural hedge as it looks nice, is evergreen and takes well to trimming. However, I don't think it's as conducive to propagating as privet, and it can be quite slow growing. Good luck!...See Morelinda_schreiber
14 years agocapriow
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6 years ago
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