Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

World of Hedges

Much as their name implies, privet hedges are meant to create a sense of privacy. These are often used to create attractive borders around lawns and properties that keep household residents blocked from view in a way that a traditional fencing structure cannot. Lush and beautiful throughout much of the year, however, fast growing hedges do indeed require a considerable amount of work. Following are some very important things to remember about this foliage whether you’ve got plans on planting it or simply need to know how to better maintain the hedges you already have.

It is important to note that this type of foliage is not evergreen when it is planted in any true, four-season climate. Throughout the four seasons of the year, these plants will look their best during the spring and the summer. With diligent watering and more temperate weather, they may even be quite beautiful towards the beginning of fall. After this time has passed, you can expect all of the leaves to fall away. This is always a great time to go ahead and start pruning them back.

Among some of the other factors that you want to note is that certain options in these plants are poisonous to both humans and various types of wild animals. This shouldn’t really be a problem unless you’re overtaken by the desire to nibble on their leaves. If you’re attempting to get licensed for daycare, however, this certainly isn’t the type of foliage you want to own.

People should also understand that these plants are invasive in many regions. They are not traditionally from here and thus, there are no natural competitors to beat them back. You shouldn’t have much of a problem controlling them in your yard, but if you intend to plant them on a larger and less-maintained property, you will definitely want to keep this characteristic firmly in mind. This is especially true whenever there are any well-founded fears of having these plants encroach on the space of other planted organisms.

When it comes to maintenance, make sure that you are never using hand-held pruners or sheers. Although these tools are capable of keeping a hedge tiny, it also expedites the production of buds near the edges of the plant. As these buds multiple, the hedge will become too thick to allow sunlight to penetrate it deeply. This in turn, prevents growth at the interior, which can be exceedingly problematic.

Clip every branch at a forty-five degree angle instead. This will leave plenty of space for air and light so that the interior of the hedge can be just as robust as the outside. This might not be the easiest way to create the smooth, even and ultimate uniform look that you’re going for, but it will keep the entire structure healthy from the inside out.

You also want to take special concerns with structures that have seriously become overgrown. These will need to be rejuvenated from a more aggressive form of pruning. You can use the three-year rule to establish the right pruning schedule. Approximately one-third of all the very thickest stems should be taken off near the base of the hedge.

These efforts will stimulate new growth while allowing for a much more balanced and even appearance. It will also protect the health of the plant by ensuring that no single area has become too robust. This will need to be repeated once each year for no less than three years. When this span of time is up, the shrub will be healthy and significantly smaller in size.