You can cut the hedge back approximately within 30m of the ground. Any further and you may end up with a plant that cannot grow back at all. Be sure to feed the hedges after with fertiliser and mulch, while keeping it significantly hydrated.
When should you cut back a privet hedge?
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.
Can privet be cut back hard?
Privet is tough as old boots and can definitely tolerate hard pruning. Ideally cut back one side of the hedge one year, then the other side one or two years later to retain the screening effect and give the plant the best chance of recovery.
How do you cut an overgrown privet hedge?
Privet Hedge Pruning of Hard Old, Overgrown Hedges
Now you can start trimming your hedges way back: cut them down to about 6 inches above the ground. You can then fertilize the hedges and mulch thoroughly to help encourage new growth.
How far back can you cut a privet hedge? – Related Questions
How long do privet hedges live?
A hedge should last at least 30 years, and some gardens have hedges 100 years old or more.
What kills privet hedges?
The most common hedge killer is Honey Fungus (Armillaria). Honey Fungus spreads through the soil and feeds on roots. Privet hedges are especially susceptible to Honey Fungus. To lower the risk of infection, avoid damp soil conditions when watering and provide good drainage.
How often should you cut a privet hedge?
Pruning privet hedges: the right time
For optimal growth, young privet must be pruned several times per year. Two pruning’s a year are the general rule. The first pruning should be done in early spring, just before the plant produces new shoots.
Can you cut a hedge back hard?
You can cut both the height and width of your overgrown hedge back by up to 50% in one single cut, however we recommend staggering this process over at least two years, preferably more.
Can I trim hedges in October?
Late spring, early fall,or winter (when the hedges are fully dormant) are the best times for pruning hedges. Don’t prune hedges during very hot, dry weather, and prune well before your first frost date.
Is it okay to trim hedges in the summer?
Summer is an excellent time for restorative pruning. Summer pruning tasks may include removing dead, damaged or diseased branches. Many people think of pruning as a winter task, but there are a number of great reasons to prune your trees and shrubs in summer.
How do you maintain a privet hedge?
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 time of year do you cut hedges?
Late winter or very early spring is best, to avoid trimming the hedge during its peak growing season. Always try to cut a hedge back after the flowering season. Getting the timing right will ensure that when you do cut the hedge, the shape will remain visible for longer.
Should I cut down my privet?
Without trimming, privet can grow 2 feet per year. In addition to the summer trim, however, privet hedges need serious pruning in winter months, but only every second year. The goal of pruning is two-fold: 1) cut down branches that grow straight up, and 2) cut down old growth.
How do I make my privet hedge Fuller?
How to Make a Privet Hedge Thicker. 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 I fix my leggy privet hedge?
The good news is privet (Ligustrum) is a very tough plant. You can completely rejuvenate it by cutting the branches down to 4 – 6 inches from the ground in late March; in the case of a very tall privet, prune to about half the present size. Once you achieve the height you want, prune it in an inverted keystone shape.
Does trimming a hedge make it grow thicker?
Hedges are formed from upward growing plants, so to encourage a thick hedge the growth tips need to be removed. This encourages the laterals to develop. And clipping the laterals encourages them to also become dense with foliage.
Will my privet hedge grow back?
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.
Can I trim hedge in September?
We recommend avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year.