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Achieve a thicker hedge by planting two rows of shrubs, zig-zag fashion, in a double-wide trench. This multitiered privet hedge serves as a theatrical backdrop for an informal border of mophead and lacecap hydrangeas.
How do you prune privet to encourage growth?
Pruning encourages the shrubs to put out new growth. Cut them back by 4 to 6 inches, or one-third of their length if shorter. Shape the hedges when pruning so that their bottoms are wider than the tops. This will allow sunlight to reach the bottom of the shrubs and encourage new growth.
How can I make my privet hedge better?
Grow privet in moist but well-drained soil in sun to shade. Keep plants well watered in the first two years and the area around the plants weed-free. Prune once or twice a year to maintain a traditional ‘hedge’ shape. Be careful to check for bird nests before pruning.
What can I do with leggy privet?
Cut them back to about 2 feet ‘slips’ and stick them in between the stems of your hedge. With any luck, some will root – or you could heel them into a trench until they root, then transplant.
How do you rejuvenate a privet hedge?
To rejuvenate a privet hedge, cut the entire hedge back to within 12 inches (31 cm.) of the ground. Do this in late winter. The shrubs re-sprout after being cut back hard.
What is the best feed for privet hedge?
A 15-5-10 fertiliser is best for privets, and don’t forget to water your hedge well after fertilising to ensure the product sinks in and reaches root-level.
What is the best fertilizer for privet hedge?
For the best results, use leaf mold, aged compost or well-rotted manure, suggests the National Gardening Association. Spread 3 to 4 inches of this organic matter on the soil surface and mix it thoroughly into the top 12 inches of soil before planting the privet hedge.
Do privet hedges need fertilizer?
Privets are hardy and only need fertilization if the leaves show signs of paling, or if you aren’t satisfied with the shrubs’ growth rates. Unnecessary fertilization of shrubs can leach nitrogen into surrounding waterways and pollute groundwater.
Does privet regenerate?
Because privet grows rapidly, a declining hedge could be cut to within a few inches of the ground and allowed to completely regenerate. If well irrigated and fertilized, one might expect 4-5 feet of growth in a single growing season.
How do you get a hedge to fill in?
Trim side shoots by a third but leave leading shoots to grow. The hedge will look thin, but hold your nerve. Clip when the plants reach a few inches above the height you want the hedge to be. This will stimulate lots of side shoots and the hedge will quickly fill out.
How do you thicken a hedge at the bottom?
Trimming a hedge in a wedge shape that is wider at the bottom will make it grow thicker by enabling more even regrowth. Cut back the hedge at the top to steer growth to the sides of your bushes and use organic fertiliser to encourage the plant’s development.
How do you fill gaps in a privet hedge?
A better plan would be to clear away any weeds form teh base of the privet, cut back a few branches near the gap to encourage new buds and shoots to grow and then feed the entire hedge with generous dollops of pelleted chicken manure or blood, fish and bone and then a mulch. That will improve the vigour of your privet.
When should a privet hedge be pruned?
Privet hedge pruning is performed in late winter. This includes removing dead or damaged branches and opening the interior of the hedge. All of this should be done before spring growth starts.
How do you feed hedges?
Although shrubs and hedges are not quite as hungry as Roses, they do benefit from an annual feed. In early spring, use an all-purpose, organic fertiliser to feed your trees, shrubs and hedges. This will aid healthy growth and will especially benefit new, weak or recently pruned plants.
How do you bring a hedge back to life?
By pruning out dead or diseased growth, regular watering and feeding and with a thick layer of mulch and compost, it is possible to nurture your hedge plants back to good health.
How long does a hedge take to grow back?
Hedges might take three to seven years to attain their desired size. You can buy semi-mature hedges which, although costly, will give an instant hedge. Semi-mature plants require extra care in planting and watering. Hedges might need shelter in their initial years on exposed sites.
How often should you water privet?
Water. In general, most types of privets prefer constantly moist soil conditions, so long as the privet shrub’s roots aren’t sitting in standing water. Apply irrigation whenever the top 3 to 4 inches of soil have dried out, which may be every day or every other day depending on your soil type and the weather.
When should I fertilize my hedge?
Hedges can be fertilized using a either a slow-release phosphorous fertilizer or an organic fertilizer mix. The best time for hedge fertilizing is in early spring, as the fresh fertilizer will give the hedges the energy necessary to produce lush foliage.
