New privet hedge

[nepia]

But at least it can be good for some wild things which I think is more than can be said for bloody Red Robin 'hedges'!

[Stubby]

2 hours ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Privet always seems old fashioned, post war council house estate type hedge.

 

 

And stink of Tom cats piss .

[nepia]

Do tell us how you became an expert 😅

[Stubby]

10 minutes ago, nepia said:

Do tell us how you became an expert 😅

Walked past a few .

[Guest Gimlet]

Looks nice in prime condition but not reliably evergreen everywhere in the country so it can look very sorry. 

My objection is it's an extremely hungry plant that sucks up all the nutrients from the surrounding soil. It's hard work trying to grow a decent border in front of a privet hedge. 

[Stere]

Noticed recently theres an increase in something killing privet off/ making them look half dead.

 

Probably honey fungus or droughts  etc dunno.....

Edited June 30, 2021 by Stere

[sime42]

Looks nice in prime condition but not reliably evergreen everywhere in the country so it can look very sorry.  My objection is it's an extremely hungry plant that sucks up all the nutrients from the surrounding soil. It's hard work trying to grow a decent border in front of a privet hedge. 

 

They're very thirsty as well as hungry. Though aren't all hedging like that? Anyway, from a trimmers perspective you don't really want a border in front of the hedge! A nice plain bit of lawn makes the job a whole lot easier, especially the clearing up.  

 

 

[Paul in the woods]

15 hours ago, David Lawrence 88 said:

Hi

i planted a privet hedge this spring

the plants are reported to be doing well 

but just growing up not out or bushy at all

 

should we wait til they get to final height and then trim the tops or cut the tops out now to encourage side shoots

 

thanks

 

 

 

I'd follow the advice of one of the hedging suppliers. Such as https://www.best4hedging.co.uk/privet-hedging-ligustrum-c67

 

I think you've left it too long, you normally cut them down when planting and then trim as they grow so they produce lots of low down branches. But cutting them lower than the final height would seem the way to go.

 

Edit to add, my main experience with private is coppicing them with a chainsaw as they've grown into small trees!

Edited June 30, 2021 by Paul in the woods

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

And stink of Tom cats piss .

I think it's box that smells like that

[Paul in the woods]

11 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

I think it's box that smells like that

I don't know about Tom Cats but private isn't the nicest smelling flower. I've been warned it can taint honey but I've not had any problems with my bees and it flowers at a useful time in the year. (although late this year).