Green Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium

Description

 Properties of Green Privet Hedging Plants.

A Green privet hedge is an ideal garden hedge. It is semi evergreen, moderately low maintenance and very fast growing. The growth rate is typically 1-2ft per year.

It is not fully evergreen like Laurel Hedging or even Photinia Red Robin hedging in that if it is kept well clipped back and trimmed it will retain most of its colour and foliage over Winter months. This is often not the case though in very harsh winters.

Younger plants tend to lose leaves in the Winter months, whereas the maturity of the plant sees it hold it leaves. It can be kept as an incredibly neat hedge and responds well to clipping. It is incredibly hardy and will grow well inland as well as along the coast.

Description

The Leaves of a green beech plant are oval in shape, pointed at the tip and lime green in colour. The more mature plants develop creamy white flowers in the Summer months. They grow well in any reasonably well-drained soil type thus making privet hedges a popular choice with the Irish gardener.

Features of Green Privet Hedging Plants

The stand out properties of these green privet hedging plants are their hardy and robust nature and that a privet hedge can be easily pruned. Pruning will actually encourage the hedge to become thicker and fuller, providing a more dense coverage.

An attractive addition of native trees mixed in through the beech hedge enhances the overall aesthetic of hedging in the garden. Native trees such as Oak, Silver Birch, Green Beech Trees, Lime Trees or even Native Cherry Blossom trees can add depth and volume to a young privet hedge.

Benefits of hedging to Biodiversity & Ecosystems.

Planting a hedge of any type, including green privet hedges in the garden is a great way to encourage biodiversity and preserve ecosystems.

A hedge in the garden provides shelter and security for nesting birds, caterpillars, aphids and other insects. Privet hedges also act as a network for small animals to move around the garden and populate, whilst the Summer flowers provide a food source for bees, butterflies and other insects.

When to Plant Your Green Privet Hedge

Privet hedging plants are typically sown as bare root plants in the Winter months from November through to March. Plants of 2-3ft are the most popular size for planting as the root systems are well developed and the plants are an ideal size for planting.

The first one or two years are the slowest with Privet hedging, but if kept clean and free from weeds, significant growth will be made in the later years. Annual maintenance, pruning and trimming of a privet hedge will encourage growth and thicken the hedge.

Pruning and trimming is usually done in the Spring before birds begin to build their nests again for the Summer months.

Green Privet hedging plants are sold in pots, traditionally during the Summer months. Plants that have been grown in pots but can be planted from pots all year round as the root system is well established.

Tips & Tricks for your Green Privet Hedge

• Green Privet hedge plants are usually planted as bare root plants, at a frequency of 3 or 4 plants per metre roughly 1 foot apart and planted in a single row.
• Keep the hedge clear of long grass and weeds in the first few months to promote growth and a thicker, fuller hedge.
• When planting It is best to dig a trench 8-9 inches deep, breaking up and aerating the soil.
• Place the plants in the trench, covering the root system up to the collar of the plant.
• Shovel back in the soil and walk the plant in to anchor it in the ground.

After Care for your Green Privet Hedging Plants

• Hedging plants should be watered if planted bare root in late Spring or from pots in Summer months, especially if there is a period of drought in the proceeding months.

Type:  Fast Growing in nutrient-rich moist soil
Status: Hardy in cold weather
Position: Sun or light shade

You can view our Green Privet Hedging Here.