Among ornamental plants, common privet stands out, which is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 5 m in length. Most often, it has a wide and asymmetrical crown. However, it is precisely this that provides the shrub with its attractiveness, since it is very dense and formed by dense branches. For those gardeners who would like to transform their garden, common privet is one of the attractive options. Moreover, even novice summer residents can grow this shrub.
Ligustrum vulgare – common privet
Already at the beginning of summer, privet flowers appear, which provide it attractive appearance until the end of July. The fruits begin to ripen in September, however they are poisonous. Their ability to stay on branches until the first frost allows them to maintain the attractiveness of the shrub. The flowers have a pungent odor; the inflorescences growing from them have a racemose shape. Common privet berries have a black paint with a glossy effect. This shrub grows narrow long leaves, which with the onset of autumn change their original color to yellow-green.
Common privet is one of the commonly used shrubs by most landscape design professionals. In principle, this shrub can be considered unpretentious, since it can be grown on any soil, with the exception of those areas where acidic peat substrates predominate. Privet is a drought-tolerant plant, so watering can be kept to a minimum. Their decorative qualities Privet is shown as a hedge, and it does this very well due to the fact that it easily tolerates pruning.
is a cold-resistant crop, which can easily tolerate temperature fluctuations within - 30 degrees. Because of this, structures of various shapes are created from it - balls, pyramids, cylinders and other decorative elements in garden and park areas.This shrub can always look attractive only if all the rules are strictly followed when planting and caring for it. It is very important that all activities are carried out on a regular basis.
How to properly care?
To create comfortable conditions for the root system of common privet and providing it with air is necessary regularly throughout the growing season loosen the soil. You should think about mulching just before summer. At this moment, the most favorable conditions for carrying out such an operation are created: the soil contains a sufficient amount of moisture and has an optimal temperature.
Common privet grows best in well-lit areas. Although it would not be a mistake to plant it in partial shade. This shrub does not require special care However, regular pruning is necessary.
How to prune common privet?
A photo of a shrub shows all its decorative properties, but it can look like this only with proper care, which includes regular pruning.
Trimming privet only benefits it, as it allows it to form a thick, branched crown. Therefore, in cases where it is necessary create borders or hedges, experts opt for common privet.
- It is best to trim bushes in evening time, after which it is recommended to cover the plant with a damp cloth. The next day in the morning it can be removed. This technique speeds up the healing of wounds;
- It is recommended to trim hedges in May and August. During this procedure, shoots must be removed by a third of their length;
- It is forbidden to cut the plant during flowering.
Very often, when winter is extremely harsh, shrubs suffer from severe frosts, which is why the tips of the shoots may freeze. However, this is not a cause for concern, because during spring pruning all damaged areas can be easily removed.
Watering rules
The need for moisture is highest in young bushes. Irrigation is recommended at least five times per season. To ensure that the bush does not experience a water shortage, it is necessary to adhere to the following scheme when watering - 35-50 liters per 1 square meter. m. Privet responds best to watering if it is carried out rarely but abundantly. Here it is very important to moisten the soil around the perimeter of the bush within a radius of 50 cm.
Do I need to feed?
Already in early spring, you should choose a day for foliar feeding. It is advisable to do this before the buds open, and the temperature should be kept at about 5 degrees Celsius. Fills the needs of plants nutrients with the help concentrated urea solution. The positive effect of this operation is that it protects the bush from pests that have successfully survived the winter. To prepare the solution, you need to take 0.5 kg of fertilizer and dilute it in 10 liters of water. As a result of such processing, privet will receive the nitrogen it needs.
Root fertilizers can also be used for this plant. This is also done before the buds open. To do this, you will need a small amount of granular fertilizer, which must be diluted in the same volume of water. Privet plants are watered with the prepared urea solution. You can also fertilize in the fall: at this time of year, potassium fertilizers are added to the soil, which will help the plants survive the winter with less losses.
What do the spots on the leaves indicate?
During the process of growing privet, a gardener may see greenish or grayish spots on the leaves. This is true a sign of increased soil acidity. The situation can be corrected by adding lime to the soil. To do this, you need to spread a thin layer on the surface of the soil. slaked lime. Pretty soon you will notice how there will be no trace left of the spots on the leaves.
An effective remedy that restores soil acidity to normal levels is dolomite flour. At the same time, it enriches the soil with microelements that privet needs. This fertilizer is quite often used by gardeners, because even after decades it does not lose its qualities and is inexpensive.
What do you need to know when landing?
First of all, the gardener needs to decide where this shrub will be planted. The most suitable area for common privet is a well-lit area. If the place for planting shrubs is chosen close to permanent buildings, then it is necessary maintain a distance of 100 cm from them. Then you won't have any special problems when it comes time to prune the bushes.
Preparation
If you want to have your own property decorative element landscape design, then you will have to first prepare the area for planting. Be sure to dig the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm, where a hole is subsequently made. When determining the size, it should be taken into account that its depth should be approximately 30 cm greater than the root system of the shrub.
Be sure to water the hole well before planting. When all the moisture is absorbed down to the drop, it is filled with the mixture prepared from garden soil and compost taken in equal quantities. When immersing the plant, it is important that the roots are in their natural position.
Seedling care
Having finished planting the shrub, the time comes when you can begin to take care of the privet. Among the priority operations, it is worth highlighting the initial pruning. It is thanks to it that the plant will acquire the necessary crown shape. You can ensure the decorative appearance of common privet by cutting the branch to one third of its length.
You can increase the chances of survival of the shrub, provided that during the first three weeks after planting, the gardener will keep the soil moist.
- when the plant takes root and begins to grow, limit watering;
- it is subsequently necessary to carry out it only during periods of drought;
- It is imperative to cover the root zone with a layer of mulch of 1-2 cm.
Decorative hedge
Common privet is a fairly popular plant that is used to create hedges. Moreover, you can implement this idea on your own or involve professionals in doing the work. This shrub is often used to landscape areas and create hedges. But in order for privet to become a spectacular decoration of the territory, it is necessary to provide the planting material with appropriate care.
Even before planting a young shrub in the chosen place, it is necessary determine the line of the future row. The easiest way to do this is with a rope. To do this, it is stretched parallel to the dug trench, where it is planned to plant common privet bushes. Plants are placed no closer than 40 cm from each other. Common privet is planted in alternation so that the lush part of the bushes faces different sides. After planting, it is necessary to water the seedlings until the moisture is completely absorbed.
Pests and diseases
Despite all the decorative properties of common privet, it, like other plants, is susceptible to various pests, which can upset many gardeners. However, if planting and care are carried out in accordance with the rules, then such a risk to the shrub can be minimized. Modern varieties Common privet thrives when grown in areas with unfavorable conditions.
At the same time, the gardener himself is required to carry out certain measures so that the plant coped better with pest attacks.
- with the onset of summer, it is necessary to identify points of excessive growth and remove them;
- be sure to trim shoots located at right angles to the fence;
- Each successive trimming of the bush must be completed with the application of fertilizers and treatment with a fungicide. In this case, it will be possible not only to save correct form crowns, but also increase the shrub’s resistance to fungal diseases.
Today, more than 20 species of common privet are known, actively used in landscape design. These bushes grow as a deciduous shrub or compact tree with a dense crown. The flowers they produce are distinguished by their rich color palette, which may include white, yellow and other shades. In autumn, fruits ripen that are poisonous. The leaves of the bush are variegated in color, the berries are bright, the crown round shape miniature sizes.
Most gardeners who have experience growing common privet confirm the unpretentiousness of this plant. However, planting and caring for this shrub in each case may have its own characteristics, determined by the type of soil in which the plants are planted. It is not recommended to place bushes in places where moisture stagnates, as there they will quickly lose their attractiveness. The most suitable places for growing privet are places where loose loams predominate and there is a lot of leaf humus. When planting privet in a place with dense soil, it is necessary to dig it up.
Regardless of the variety, this shrub is a cold-resistant crop. But during preparation for winter it should be cover with dry leaves. Evergreen privet varieties are often used to decorate greenhouses.
Conclusion
Many gardeners have probably seen common privet more than once, although they did not suspect that this plant can be given amazing shapes. It is precisely because of its pronounced decorative properties that this shrub is often used in the design of a variety of objects, including as a hedge. Therefore, it can often be found not only on summer cottages, but also in park areas. Growing a shrub is not so difficult, because privet is unpretentious, therefore, if you take into account the features, then even in not quite suitable conditions it can grow and regularly delight with its flowering.
Privet plant
Creating hedges on a personal plot is a difficult but fascinating process. To reach desired result, you need to choose the right plant for this purpose. For example, privet, a shrub that is a relative of lilac, works well. It will decorate any area. But for this you need to arm yourself garden shears, because without proper care the plant looks unattractive.
Characteristics of types and varieties of privet
The height of privet is usually up to 2 meters. The main advantage of the bush for which it is valued landscape designers, are dense leathery leaves. Today, many varieties have been bred based on natural species, differing from each other in color, climatic preferences, and dimensions. Each gardener can choose a plant to suit his taste.
How to propagate privet (video)
Common privet
Privet (or ligistrum) is common in Europe and Asia Minor. In the territory of the former USSR, it grows in the Caucasus, the southern border of Ukraine and the north of Moldova, preferring oak groves. The encyclopedic description of this plant indicates that it is found even in Africa.
This is a hardy and very tall shrub, classified as deciduous. Its shoots can reach 5 meters and are decorated with oblong leaves with a leathery surface. Their top has dark green color, and the underside is lighter. Blooms in June, small inflorescences in the form of light panicles, emitting a rather pleasant aroma. And the beautiful black fruits remain on the branches until the depths of winter, and look attractive among the white snow.
This species is the most frost-resistant of the privet family, therefore it is ideally suited for planting and growing in the climate of the middle zone. On its basis, a dozen decorative forms have been developed: golden (aureum), pyramidal, weeping and others. They are widely used in landscape design.
Privet shiny
The plant is native to Japan, China, and Korea. It occurs in the form of a compact tree or evergreen bush. The leaves are 13-15 cm long, ovate, slightly elongated. As the name suggests, they have shiny surface dark emerald color. It blooms with large panicles, up to 18 cm. Looking at the shiny privet like a hedge, important to know: this plant does not tolerate cold well. Therefore, at temperatures below -15°C it can die and must be covered for the winter.
Japanese privet
Outwardly, it is very similar to the brilliant one, but grows much more slowly. And her panicles are shorter. But Japanese privet has others important advantages: excellent shade tolerance and resistance to sub-zero temperatures. It comes with round and variegated leaves.
Privet evergreen
It has good immunity to frost. It does not shed its leaves in winter, which is why it has won the sympathy of gardeners.
Privet oval-leaved
A very compact shrub, whose height is no more than 1 meter. It is not widely used as a hedge in mid-latitudes because it does not tolerate frost well and is constantly frozen over the winter.
In spring, such a plant looks painful and takes a long time to recover. Another feature of the plant is its infrequent flowering, accompanied by a very peculiar aroma.
Privet variegated
The variegated species is rich in its leaves, which have a delicate edge. white with a creamy tint. This evergreen, which more often seen in regions with warm climates and mild winters.
Yellow-leaved privet (Aurea)
Yellow leaf privet has stunning golden foliage. But to fully appreciate it, you will have to be patient, because the growth of the bush occurs very slowly. Quite resistant to low temperatures. At warm weather in the winter months its leaves remain until spring, but only partially. But you shouldn’t expect flowering from Aurea privet.
Quihoun Privet (Ligustrum quihoui)
This shrub comes originally from China. The height of its shoots is about 2 meters. They are decorated with small leaves, hard to the touch, and inflorescences in the form of long panicles. A distinctive feature is the presence of “fluff” on young stems and on the underside sheet plate, which looks very original.
Privet Kwihou became the ancestor of many varieties: “Molodushki”, “Vicaria”. The latter has yellow leaves that turn purple after frost.
Methods and technology for propagating privet
There are three ways to propagate privet: cuttings, layering and seeds. The latter requires time and effort, because the planting material has a germination rate of just over 60%. Therefore it is rarely used.
Much more effective than cuttings. To do this, you need to wait until flowering ends and choose a strong, well-developed shoot. Cuttings are cut from it, the length of which is approximately 12 cm, and they are placed in nutritious soil (turf soil is good). It is necessary that future seedlings are at an angle of 45° to the surface, because this will facilitate rooting.
Constant maintenance will have a positive effect optimal humidity and temperature. To do this, cover the cuttings with a cut plastic bottle, ventilating regularly. After 2 weeks, roots appear.
Spring is the time to create privet layering. To do this, bend the branch towards the soil, make a cut on it and secure it in the ground. It is recommended to lay sphagnum moss on top. Soon the cuttings will begin to grow. All that remains is to separate it from the parent bush.
Privet seeds are propagated only on an industrial scale., and even then rarely. To do this, planting material is checked in water in advance: the floating seeds turn out to be unsuitable. The rest are planted in open ground before winter, in October. This is called natural stratification.
How to plant privet (video)
Privet: features of planting and care
Although privet is a rather unpretentious plant, it is recommended to follow a number of rules when planting it. This will allow the shrub to develop better, and therefore look better, which is important for an ornamental plant.
Five basic rules for growing privet:
- If in southern regions This shrub is shade-tolerant, so in the middle zone it is necessary to plant it where it will receive enough light. Under the trees northern sides buildings have no place for him.
- Privet roots grow in the ground mainly in a horizontal direction. That's why top layer The soil should be well dug and fertilized. This is not difficult to do. The most preferred soil for the plant: a mixture of turf, humus and sand (3:2:1, respectively), fertilized mineral complexes and organics.
- Regular care consists of watering, loosening the soil and, of course, pruning; as well as applying fertilizers at the beginning of the gardening season - mineral, organic.
- Forming a hedge or shaping privet should begin as early as possible. To do this, pruning is done. In order for the plant to bush better, you need to pinch the shoots of young plants every 15 cm.
- If the plant does not tolerate frost well, then it must be additionally insulated for the winter.
Trimming privet for hedges
In areas with a warm climate (for example, in European countries), privet is used to create tall hedges up to a person's full height up to 2 meters. In regions with more severe weather, this is irrational because due to cold winter the branches will be damaged. Therefore, it is better to make a hedge-border 50-60 cm.
Japanese style
The culture of creating Japanese gardens is diverse and interesting. One of the objects of landscape design in this country is "karikomi"- shrubs grown in the form of a dense pad. Climatic conditions Japan allows the use of azaleas for this, and in areas with cold winters, privet is suitable for this purpose. The formation process is even simpler than creating a border, because you do not need to adhere to strict geometric shapes.
For example, a single plant can be given a hemispherical shape, the height of which will be no more than 40 cm, and the diameter - 60 cm. To do this, you need to achieve the desired silhouette from the early years of privet’s life by pruning the branches. Density and thickness will come with time.
European version
Special attention should be paid to corners and flat surfaces. The best option the border will become trapezoidal in shape, with a subtle narrowing upward. Thanks to this, the lower branches will receive a sufficient amount of sunlight and will not become bare. Once the border or hedge is formed, all that remains is to trim it as needed.Privet: pruning (video)
With the help of privet you can create interesting decorative objects of the site. It is even used for growing indoors as a bonsai. The main thing is to pay attention to pruning, watering and fertilizing in a timely manner.
Privet (Ligustrum) is an evergreen and deciduous shrub found almost everywhere. Scientific name plant means “to bind” and indicates the viscosity of its bark, and Russian - is explained by the fact that due to the dark color inedible fruits it was considered wolfberry or “privet berry.” This close relative of the lilac (their leaves and bark are very similar) is not so tall, and blooms much more modestly. If the privet bushes are trimmed into shapes, they are transformed beyond recognition.
Privet, planted as a hedge, changes the garden landscape. Shrubs can be used to enclose playgrounds for children, gazebos, paths and other areas of various plots. Various types of ligustrum haircuts create unlimited possibilities for this design.
It is best to plant bushes in free space so that buildings and tall trees were almost a meter away from them. This is done in early spring before the buds awaken. Some gardeners prefer mid-autumn to plant.
For a green hedge in a garden plot, two dozen 3-5 year old bushes are enough, because they grow very quickly and take root well in the first year. The purchased plants are placed in water, and in the meantime carry out preparing the soil for a hedge:
- The soil is dug up and fertilized with potash (15 grams per square plot) and nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers (in the same amount).
- It is limed with a mixture of slaked lime, chalk and dolomite flour in a volume of 300-400 grams per square meter area for podzolic soils, twice as large for clayey soils, and slightly smaller than in the first case for sandy soils.
- Then, using a stretched rope, trenches are marked for planting the line of plants.
- Dig grooves a little more than half a meter deep and slightly less wide.
After preparatory activities You can plant bushes at intervals of half a meter and compact the soil under them. Then water the plants at the roots so that the water saturates the ground to a depth of half a meter.
Privet planted as a hedge changes the garden landscape
Gallery: privet (25 photos)
Features of caring for privet in the garden
Privet is an unpretentious plant, not selective in soil (with the exception of peat bogs), tolerates drought and frost well (even up to 30 degrees), and is flexible for cutting (spherical, pyramidal, cylindrical and other shapes).
General rules of care
Caring for decorative privet includes the following activities:
- Loosening the soil under the bushes for better water permeability. It should be started in early spring and, if necessary, combined with weeding.
- Mulch the soil with a five-centimeter layer of peat to prevent overheating of the roots and to inhibit the growth of weeds. This is done at the end of spring, when the soil has already warmed up, but there is still enough moisture in it.
- Watering. Plants need only five waterings per season. At least three buckets of water are poured under each bush at a time so that it penetrates to a depth of half a meter.
- Feeding. It is carried out in two ways. At the beginning of spring, when the soil warms up a little, root fertilizing is done with humus or compost and urea (a bucket of organic matter and ten grams of granules per bush). In this case, the fertilizer is poured onto the ground, dug up a little and watered. In addition, foliar spraying of bushes with five percent urea is carried out. In the fall, for better wintering, potassium fertilizers are applied at a rate of 15 grams per square meter. meter of plot.
How to care for privet (video)
Technology and timing of shrub pruning
In warm climates with mild winters, a ligustrum hedge can grow to full human height. But in the middle zone, plants can freeze in winter, so it is recommended to leave a living fence half a meter high. Then the shoots overwinter under the snow.
Green hedges are trimmed twice: at the end of spring and at the end of summer. For artistic pruning of bushes, trellis shears and twine are used. You also need a stencil that matches the design idea. This trapezoidal frame is easily made from wooden slats. In this case, the top of the template should be 10-15 cm narrower than the bottom. The selection of the hedge section configuration is carried out based on its permissible height and purpose, while leaving room for the growth of young branches.
Bushes are pruned starting from the second year of planting. In order for the crown to grow thick, young growth is first cut in half. Subsequently, it is shortened by two thirds. Because of this, flowering is slowed down, but shoots grow faster. Ligustrum responds well to pruning, quickly growing shoots do not spoil the decorative appearance of the hedge. The crown turns out lush and dense. Evergreen varieties of privet are used for bonsai; indoor trees can grow up to half a meter. It is easy to cut and shape using wire frame.
In addition to being decorative, the shrub also needs sanitization. It is carried out after wintering, while removing damaged, frostbitten and dry branches. The cut areas are treated with garden varnish.
Privet bushes are pruned starting from the second year of planting.
Description of privet species
About fifty species of privet are known, and some of them also have decorative varieties. Briefly about the most interesting of them.
Common privet
L. vulgare is the most famous species in Russia, which has a dozen other forms. In nature, it is a frost-resistant 2-5-meter shrub, growing in the south and north, in the mountains and lowlands, it is found even in Africa.
The leaves of this privet are oblong, leathery, and colored in different shades of green. The flowers are white, grow in the form of racemes or panicles, and appear as early as May. Its black fruits with red flesh are poisonous. The plant contains ligustrin, which is used to produce varnishes and paints.
Common privet
Privet "Aureum" (yellow leaf)
The common privet variety Aureum (L. vulgare “Aureum”) is a non-flowering, weakly growing bush with yellow-golden leaves, looks good in sunny areas. It withstands frost and drought, is not picky about the soil, and in the fall its oblong leaves acquire an orange color. Grows up to 3 meters tall with a lush 2-meter crown. In mild winters it can even retain its leaf cover under the snow.
Privet Aureum (yellow leaf)
Privet evergreen
Evergreen or light privet (L. Sempervirens) is a variety of common privet. This tree with dense, shiny leaves is used as houseplant, and for park design in southern countries (China, Japan), where it can grow up to 6 meters in height. The leaves are large, ovate, yellow-green-blue. White flowers with a pleasant aroma are collected in large panicles; they bloom all summer.
This plant is shade-tolerant, moisture-loving, loves fertile soil, in such conditions can withstand short, fairly low temperatures and high gas pollution. It is developing quickly and well in the south of Russia.
Privet evergreen
Privet shiny
L. lucidum is a tall evergreen shrub with large, dense, ovate leaves and a spreading crown. Grows in the south of the country and Southeast Asia. Blooms for almost three months white, fragrant, large flowers. It loves moisture and shade, lends itself well to cutting, so it is popular in any composition in gardens, parks, and street alleys.
To obtain bright leaf color, you should not water or feed the plants too often, but on dry or waterlogged soils, the leaves and flowers become smaller. It is not grown in the middle zone due to low resistance to frost. The fruits of this plant containing oleic acid,used in medicine for drugs that strengthen the immune system, vascular system. They are useful for those who have problems with the kidneys, liver and vision.
Privet shiny
Japanese privet
L. japonicum is native to Japan and resembles a lustrous one. It is evergreen, less tall plant with a compact crown and small foliage. It does not bloom for long, loves shade and moisture. Unlike shiny, it is frost-resistant and less demanding on soils. The Japanese love to grow standard bushes shaped like a ball. Two varieties are known in culture: variegated - with spotted leaves with a light pink border and round-leaved - low bushes with large leaves.
Japanese privet
Privet oval-leaved
L. ovalifolium grows on the Japanese islands on the sea coast. It does not tolerate frost, reaches a meter in height in the middle zone, and sheds its leaves for the winter.
They are rich green, oval, yellowish below. Cream flowers have a sharp, persistent odor, which attracts insects, appear at the height of summer; in the Moscow region the bushes do not bloom.
Privet oval-leaved
Golden privet
L. Vulgare is an oval-leaved variety. The leaves of the shrub have a golden border; it grows quickly, does not like wet soils, and prefers open areas. This frost-resistant variety is especially decorative in late autumn. Its tiny soft cream flowers look like a panicle. The dark fruits of this ligustrum are poisonous.
How to make a privet hedge (video)
Amur privet
L. amurense grows in northern China. Tolerates severe frosts well. It is a deciduous shrub and loves moist soils and well-lit areas. Grows up to 3 meters in height. Bright green leaves with an oval edge and medium size. Many small white flowers appear in midsummer, collected in small panicles. The berries ripen only in favorable years.
Amur privet
Privet Quihou
L. quihoui is a semi-evergreen, two-meter-tall shrub native to the central Chinese regions. In Russia, its variety “Molodushka” is popular with white panicles of fragrant flowers that appear towards the end of summer. These are drought-resistant plants with bright, medium-sized, glossy leaves. Loves well-lit places, but does not tolerate acidic and heavy soils. This is a heat-loving variety that requires protection from winter cold. But, frozen, in good conditions comes to life.
The common privet shrub (ligustrum vulgare) is very popular for creating a hedge. This plant is perfect for the climate of Central Russia. Other varieties of privet are too heat-loving and freeze out in the cold Russian winter.
Useful information
Common privet- This perennial shrub, reaching a height of 2-4 meters. The plant has more than fifty varieties. In Russia, it most often grows in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus and Crimea; the shrub is also common in the southwest of Ukraine and the north of Moldova. You can also find privet in East Asian countries.
The plant has shiny oblong leaves, growing up to 10-12 cm, dark green on top and soft green on the back. The shrub blooms with small creamy-white inflorescences with a pleasant aroma in the form of a panicle. Flowering begins in the first days of July and lasts 3 weeks.
Closer to September, the fruits begin to ripen - shiny poisonous black berries(popularly called wolfberry), which remain on the branches until January.
Common privet is well adapted to drought, dust, smoke and cold. However, at air temperatures below 30 degrees it can freeze.
Propagation of shrubs by cuttings
To plant a hedge, you can propagate the shrub by cuttings. This method will take period of 2-3 years, but it is more economical in terms of monetary investment.
Cuttings are cut in the summer after flowering, from the end of June to the end of July. You need to choose twigs with a diameter of about 1 cm and a length of 10 to 12 cm. These are mature shoots, crispy when broken. Winter cuttings are also used for propagation, but they take root much less well.
The cuttings must be planted with a 45-degree slope under a glass greenhouse, no deeper than 5 cm in purified coarse sand, laid in a small 5-centimeter layer on a turf-sand substrate. Until the shoot takes root, you need to maintain a temperature in the greenhouse of 20-25 degrees and make sure that the humidity level does not decrease.
After a couple of weeks, the first roots appear, and in 2-3 months it is fully formed. root system. After rooting, the shoots are grown for two years; only after this period are the cuttings ready to create a hedge.
Common privet: planting a hedge
If you don’t have time to wait, and you want to plant a hedge faster, then you need to purchase garden market ready-made seedlings no older than 5 years. Their roots should be packed in burlap, a box or a pot. The privet bush multiplies very quickly, so no more than 20 seedlings are needed for planting. Within one season, the seedlings will take root and grow to the size of a hedge.
Before planting a hedge, you must prepare the ground. First you need to mark a line of plantings and fasten a tightly stretched rope along it. Then dig a groove half a meter wide and deep next to the rope. Plant seedlings in it at intervals of 40-45 cm and dig the roots in with soil.
Watering seedlings It is carried out with a stream of water under the root so that the soil is moistened to a depth of half a meter. The planting of the hedge is complete, and after a short period of time, rare privet bushes will grow into a picturesque fence of lush greenery.
Pruning and crown formation
To form a thick beautiful crown shrub necessary prune regularly, starting from the second year of planting. From such a branched crown you can create a hedge of any shape, which must correspond to its purpose.
To obtain a strict crown shape, they use a special frame of beams fastened into a trapezoid, that is, the lower part of the frame is 15 - 25 cm wider than the top. It is not recommended to trim the bush in the shape of a rectangle, since the lower branches may become bare due to insufficient lighting.
In modern garden design privet is cut from spherical, semicircular, cubic and other geometric shapes. This so-called topiary art is the fruit of the imagination of creative gardeners, who manage to give the crowns of bushes the appearance of architectural structures, animals, people, and everything you can imagine!
For pruning, use a lopper and pruning shears. The first time you need to cut off more than half of the grown shoots, and in subsequent years you can cut off up to 70% of the growth. Cultivating the crown in this way reduces flowering, but ultimately increases foliage and branch growth significantly.
For better growth, the shrub is systematically pruned (usually in spring) for sanitary purposes: frozen, dry and damaged branches are cut off. In this case, the branches are treated with a special garden varnish.
Feeding, watering and caring for shrubs
Privet needs watering most of all in the hot summer, especially for young shrubs. This factor is enhanced if the plant is planted on sandy-clay soil, cracking from lack of water. The shrub grows poorly in such soil, so it requires not very frequent, but abundant watering at least 30 liters per 1 square meter, approximately 5-6 times during the entire period of plant development.
During spring digging, the soil under the bush is fed with sand and lime. And also once every every two to three years they feed plant fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) 10-15 grams per 1 square meter. It is better to introduce fertilizers in the fall, so the bush will overwinter better. You can also feed the plant during the growing season; this increases soil fertility and saturates the bush with nutrients.
The appearance of greenish-gray spots on privet foliage indicates high acidity of the soil. Weeds grow well on such soil, but such soil is not suitable for privet, so it requires systematic feeding with lime, chalk or dolomite flour.
Weeding and loosening the soil produced at the end of spring, as soon as the snow melts. At this time, it is already well moistened and warmed up. The surface of the earth under the bushes is also mulched, that is, covered with various materials: grass, bark, sawdust. This preserves soil fertility, protects the roots of the bush from drying out and prevents the growth of weeds.
Hedge from privet will improve the look of the garden personal plot . With its help, you can fence off a children's playground, a gazebo for relaxation, a place for barbecue and barbecue, and plant a border along the road.
In the first years, the green hedge will be somewhat “tattered”, but every year it grows and becomes denser, thanks to regular trimming and proper care, it will be transformed, taking on a strict form and delighting the inhabitants garden plot with your impeccable look!
The genus Privet (Ligustrum) includes several dozen species, mainly shrubs, growing in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Most types of culture can be found in the Himalayas, Japan and China. The bark of the crop has an astringent medicinal properties, hence the name of the genus - “ligare”, from the Latin verb “to bind”. Interestingly, in English-speaking countries the plant is known as Privet.
Good shade tolerance, low requirements for soil quality, tolerance to curly haircut and ease of care have made the ornamental privet shrub one of the most universal plants landscape design.
Description of privet
The plant is a densely foliated, branched and very hardy shrub, which is one of the most popular in horticulture for creating hedges.
The leaves are small, leathery, evergreen or deciduous. The height, depending on the type, is approximately 1.5-3 meters, but growth is perfectly controlled by pruning, which helps to form the most different shapes plantings. The height of dwarf varieties is only 60 -100 cm.
The flowers are white and fragrant, collected in loose paniculate inflorescences at the tops of the shoots, reminiscent of lilac flowers. Flowering is long lasting, usually beginning in early June. In warm climates it may start earlier. After flowering, shiny black berries ripen and usually remain on the bushes all winter.
The berries are poisonous to both dogs and humans, and the leaves can be even more toxic in large quantities. Their toxicity is due to the presence of terpenoid glycosides, which cause poisoning of the body.
Types of ornamental privet shrubs
Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare). The hardiest deciduous species, which can most often be found in the garden as a hedge. It is characterized by good winter hardiness and shade tolerance.
Through the efforts of breeders, they bred decorative varieties, which are distinguished by their crown shape: pyramidal shape, weeping, evergreen, as well as foliage color: privet aurea, glaucous, variegated group with variegated foliage and yellow-fruited.
Shiny privet (Ligustrum lucidum). This is a fairly small evergreen tree or shrub with glossy, ovate, variegated leaves, green with beige-yellow spots or edges. The flowers are small, creamy, fragrant, collected in inflorescences up to 20 cm in length. Blooms from July to early autumn. Withstands frosts down to minus 15 °C.
Excelsum Superbum is a low evergreen or semi-evergreen tree with small, glossy green leaves edged with bright yellow.
Variety “Curly Wurly” - leaves of an unusual shape, as if twisted, colored beige-green.
Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum). In appearance it is very similar to Ligustrum lucidum, but is more winter-hardy in cultivation. The leaves are small, evergreen, leathery, glossy.
The flowers have an unpleasant smell, but this is fully compensated by the high decorativeness of the species, which includes a group of round-leaved privet and a group with variegated foliage. For example, "Sunshine" is a sterile variety with golden foliage or "Jack Frost" is golden-green leaves.
Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). Semi-evergreen large shrub, reaching 3 meters in height. It has small yellow-green variegated leaves. Adapts to various types soil In gardening, dwarf variegated varieties are popular, for example "Swift Creek" - a small spreading bush with creamy green leaves.
"Swift Creek" Oval-leaved privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium). A low and dense shrub with variegated, evergreen foliage. For the winter it needs shelter due to its sensitivity to frost.
Depending on the color it is divided into groups:
- variegated green-leaved group with a light, often white border along the edges of the leaf blade;
- silver group Argentum, the foliage of which is also bordered by a beige or light yellow stripe;
- Aureum group or golden privet is one of the most popular in landscape design. It is a dense, compact bush about a meter high with oval, lemon-yellow or lime-yellow leaves. Fabulous dwarf variety'Lemon and Lime' has golden leaves that contrast with the dark red or purple berries.
How to plant privet
Almost any place in the garden for planting privet is suitable, but in order for the shrub to reach the peak of its attractiveness, it is better to plant it in an open sunny place, especially variegated varieties and species. The crop grows well on many types of substrate with good water permeability, but you should not expect plantings to flourish on highly acidic, heavy clay and sandy soils.
The best soil composition for growing is considered to be a mixture of three parts turf garden soil, two parts humus and one part coarse sand for water permeability.
Planting of single shrubs is carried out in spring or autumn in September-October, and privet for hedges is recommended to be planted from late March to summer. Although bushes with a closed root system can be planted all season.
Fertilizer is applied immediately when planting privet in the ground. Well suited for feeding 130 g of nitroammophoska or mix soil from landing pit with humus, compost or a small part of rotted manure.
The planting hole should be 30 cm larger than the root ball. Water is poured into it, and when it is absorbed, the roots of the plant are placed in the hole and covered with soil. At first, regular watering is necessary. Experts recommend mulching the soil around the plantings with compost or peat. Mulch will provide additional feeding throughout the season, will maintain the necessary soil moisture and control the growth of weeds.
You can find out more about the types of mulch and the benefits of mulching in this
Bushes intended for creating a privet hedge are planted in one or two rows. The width of the dug trench is 60 cm, and its depth is 80 cm. If we want to have a single-row hedge, then we plant the bushes in a straight line with a distance of 50-60 cm between the bushes in partial shade. In a sunny place, keep a distance of 80 cm.
In the case of a two-row privet hedge, two trenches are dug, located at a distance of about half a meter from each other. Planting of seedlings is carried out in a checkerboard pattern.
Rules for caring for privet
Caring for privet throughout the season consists of timely irrigation of the soil, annual pruning and removal of weeds. The plant can withstand long droughts, so watering is carried out only in dry summers as needed.
The optimal watering regime is 3-4 times per season, but abundantly, so that the ground is saturated with moisture to a depth of 40-50 cm, this is approximately 2-3 buckets per bush medium height. For small plantings up to a meter, it is enough to water 10 liters at a time. Young shrubs require more frequent watering during drought, since their roots are not yet extensive enough.
Despite the shade tolerance, the shrub prefers sunny positions or light partial shade. With a lack of lighting, foliage density decreases, and variegated varieties the brightness of the color fades.
In July, the soil around the plantings is carefully loosened after watering to increase oxygen access to the roots. After loosening, add a layer of mulch again.
Fertilizing is carried out in the spring with organic fertilizers: compost or humus. Hedges are more demanding when it comes to feeding, so once in the spring and once in the summer, organic matter and granules of mineral multicomponent fertilizers are poured along the plantings at the rate of 10 g per 1 meter. After which the plants are watered.
Privet pruning
As mentioned above, caring for the ornamental privet shrub includes sanitary pruning and, if desired, shaping pruning.
The annual procedure stimulates tillering and promotes the formation of a compact bush with dense foliage. You can experiment with the culture in creating topiary figures, since due to the intensive growth of the plant you can quickly hide a bad haircut. The plant is ideal for creating.
To create a dense and dense crown of plantings or hedges, the shoots of privet seedlings are cut by 2/3 after planting. In summer, new young shoots are shortened by 10-20 cm. And so on for 2-3 years. During this time, the bush intensively develops numerous side shoots. The larger the green mass, the easier it will be to subsequently make the necessary haircut or create.
Old bushes can be rejuvenated by cutting off all shoots to a height of 10-20 cm. A year before the planned rejuvenation, the plant requires regular watering and fertilizing so that the bush gains strength before radical pruning. Sanitary pruning of all plantings is carried out annually in the spring. Remove dry, old, broken branches.
Privet propagation
Reproduction methods ornamental shrub Privets include: seed method, cuttings, young layering or root shoots.
Propagation of privet by seeds
Due to the low germination of seeds, this method is considered quite difficult, especially since the crop begins to bear fruit for the first time only at the 6th year of life. To germinate, seeds need to undergo cold stratification, so they are sown in open ground before winter. For spring sowing the seeds must be kept all winter in a box with a sand-peat mixture at a temperature of 0-1 °C. The refrigerator is best for storage.
The seed method is usually used in nurseries, and in private gardening the simplest and most effective method of obtaining new seedlings is vegetative.
Propagation of privet by cuttings
Woody cuttings 15-25 cm long are cut in the summer after the bush has flowered. The lower leaves are torn off, and the sections are dipped in powder, which stimulates root formation. They are buried 5-7 cm in a mixture of peat and perlite.
After planting, water well with a watering can and place the pot in a transparent bag or cover with a plastic bottle. Location – partial shade. Under conditions of constant substrate and air humidity, the rooting process takes 14-20 days.
When signs of growth appear, the cover is removed and the cuttings are moved to a lighted place. The further process of development of the root system takes about a year. Therefore, cuttings are brought into the house in the fall and grown indoors, replanting as they grow into bigger pot into fertile soil.
It should be noted that seedlings need to be provided with cool conditions in winter, and fertilizing should begin in the spring. By next summer we will receive full-fledged planting material.
Reproduction by layering and shoots
In the spring, a side shoot closer to the base is cut, cut down and secured in a pre-dug groove 1-2 cm deep. At the cut site, the layer is sprinkled with compost and sphagnum moss is laid out, which should always be moist. When signs of rooting appear (new leaves appear on the shoot), the cuttings are separated from the mother plant. Some species form root shoots around the bush, which can be dug up with part of the root.
Diseases and pests
Excess moisture and poor air circulation can lead to the development of fungal diseases, which appear as a gray or whitish coating on the surface of the leaves. In this case, the plantings are treated with fungicidal preparations. There is also a risk of attack by aphids, which can be gotten rid of using folk methods.
Leaf spotting is characterized by the appearance brown spots. The disease is treated with Dithane NeoTec 75 WG or Topsin M 500 SC.