Privet Hedge - growth?

[rossyl]

Hi

Half of our privet hedge died, when we moved in.

Last year, we planted some new privet hedge. I've clipped the top and tried to make the hedge slightly narrower at the top.

Any suggestions of what I can do to encourage growth and get it to fill out?

Thanks.

Edited by rossyl on Tuesday 8th April 17:56

[RGG]

I don't know how high it was.

How high it is after transplanting.

But, I cut down a section of privet last winter - to 3 inches.

Do it now and it will be budding by January / February.

This year, it's regrown 2 feet and it's ready to shape as I want it.

Bushy right from the bottom.

I suggest you cut it down as far as you dare; mulch it with proper manure (horse ideal) and watch it spring back next year.

The moral is "don"t be afraid of cutting it back hard".

It won't take long to reestablish and be a better hedge.

[rossyl]

Photo would no doubt be helpful...



Not sure why it didn't work the first time.

[mcelliott]

rossyl said:

Photo would no doubt be helpful...



Not sure why it didn't work the first time.

Shouldn’t take long at all to catch up, I’d be more concerned with the discoloration of those plants, is there honey fungus in your soil or poor drainage?

[rossyl]

There was honey fungus but I was pretty sure I got rid of it all.

Drainage could be an issue.

The yellow ones are the new plants.

[Huzzah]

I wouldn't prune it until we'll established.

Rule of thumb with shrubs. 1st year they sleep, 2nd year they creep, 3rd year they leap.

If the new bit of privet doesn't survive, replace with something else and call it a mixed hedge. (Pyracantha would work and has nice berries)

[TCruise]

Not my area, but maybe some sort of feed might help it get established.

[DKL]

rossyl said:

There was honey fungus but I was pretty sure I got rid of it all.

Honey fungus is incredibly hard to remove completely. The root tendrils are very fine and spread a long way. I've seen huge holes dug to remove it, or try to. I think if it doesn't make it just replace with resistant species.

[Silvanus]

I really wouldn't have replanted privet in an area where it has previously succumbed to it. Privet is very susceptible and Armillaria is very difficult to get rid of once there. I'm having da ja vu regarding a privet dying privet hedge thread.

[rossyl]

So good news!

The new privet is all in bud. It LIVES!

I've put down some bagged manure bought from a garden centre.
I just laid this on top, should I have dug it in?.

Any other suggestions to help it grow thick, bushy and tall!?

Thanks

[Nick_MSM]

Sprinkle some bone meal in the soil and try to dig it in as best you can. Keep it watered once or twice a week. Should come good.

[RGG]

rossyl said:

So good news!

The new privet is all in bud. It LIVES!

I've put down some bagged manure bought from a garden centre.
I just laid this on top, should I have dug it in?.

Any other suggestions to help it grow thick, bushy and tall!?

Thanks

The worms will "dig it in" their style.
Just soak well once a week if there's not much rain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9Mnf9ysNSs

Edited by RGG on Tuesday 8th April 18:25