
Attractive, practical and easy to care for - the privet hedge is becoming increasingly popular with garden owners. Not least because of its rapid increase in size, the plant is also often used as a decorative privacy screen. But in order to be able to use all the advantages of the privet hedge optimally, it is important to cut the plant at regular intervals. Whether for rejuvenation or care - with the right cut at an optimal time, the hobby gardener can enjoy the lush green plant for many years.
tool
The right tool
In order to be able to cut the hedge cleanly and without injuring the plant, the hobby gardener needs suitable tools above all. Branches that are to be shortened or completely removed must never be cut off by hand without scissors; there is then the risk of unclean edges forming, through which pathogens can quickly penetrate. To get clean and smooth interfaces, the following tools can be used.
- household scissors
- special secateurs
- pruning shears
- ratchet scissors
- electric hedge trimmer
Smaller jobs can usually be done with pruning shears or ratchet shears; Hobby gardeners trim stronger shoots with electric hedge trimmers, primarily to achieve a straight cut.
Notice: It is essential to ensure that the tools used are always well sharpened; this is the best way to get a straight cut. A straight cut not only has a positive effect on the look, but also allows the hedge to heal faster overall.
time
The optimal time
For every garden owner, the question arises as to when the privet hedge is best to trim. In principle, it has proven useful to cut the plant three times a year so that the hedge grows taut and remains shapely; this work is to be done between May and September. In order to clarify the question of when to cut the hedge, the hobby gardener should consider the following aspects.
- Orientation at the time of budding
- Consideration of the ecological balance
- Taking into account the need for rest of the plant
Basically, it should be noted: During the cold season, the privet hedge must never be cut! In late autumn, winter and well into February, the plant needs sufficient rest to gather the necessary strength for budding in the following year.
sprouting
Consideration of budding
In addition, the time of budding must be taken into account; the hedge sprout twice a year, with the strongest sprout beginning in late winter (in February) and ending in June. In late summer and into October, flowers form for the second time.
A radical cut can therefore be completed from the end of February; in this process, the branches can be shortened by up to 50 percent. For many hobby gardeners, such a cut initially takes some effort, but the plant is very hardy and robust; it grows back densely and regularly even when a heavy pruning has been done.
In autumn the hedge should be cut again; at this time of the year, a radical cut must not be carried out. Rather, the plant is prepared for the dormant phase in winter by a further care cut. It should always be borne in mind that the hedge will not grow back during the cold season. If a cut is made during this time, drastic frost damage can result.
editing rules
Respect for the ecological balance
In addition to the practical aspects, ecological aspects must also be considered in order to find out when the hedge is best trimmed. The Federal Nature Conservation Act has established the following rules for cutting.
- Radical cuts are prohibited in the warm season
- warm season begins on March 1st and ends on September 30th
- during this time, only light topiary cuts are permitted
- Grooming cuts, done carefully, are allowed in moderation
The reason for these regulations is to maintain the ecological balance, as the hedge is a popular breeding ground for various bird species. If cut during the breeding phase, the hobby gardener destroys important habitat for the birds.
cut
Optimum environmental conditions for the cut
It is important to wait for optimal climatic conditions before trimming the hedge. It has proven useful to use the scissors on an overcast day to avoid damaging the plant. If the cut is made on a sunny day, there is a risk of burns at the cut points. On the other hand, moisture promotes the spread of fungal diseases. In addition, the leaves that come to the surface after cutting are not exposed to direct sunlight; here too there is a risk that parts of the plant may burn.
young plants
Cut young privet hedges
When and how often a privet hedge is cut depends on the following factors.
- the age of the hedge
- the condition of the branches and leaves
- optical aspects
- individual application requirements
The hobby gardener should keep in mind that every cut stimulates growth at the same time; for this reason, it has proven useful to cut a young privet hedge more frequently at the beginning; in this way a dense growth is achieved. Anyone who only decides to cut the hedge in the following years allows the plant to shoot up quickly; in the lower area, the hedge then often appears bare. The lack of blending at a young age not only has a negative effect on the optical effect, but also prevents optimal privacy protection from developing at the same time.
older plants
Cutting old and bare plants
If the hedge is already old and has grown satisfactorily up to this point, it is usually sufficient to cut the plant twice a year. These grooming cuts should be made at the times listed above. If cosmetic corrections are necessary, another cut can always be made in between.
If the hedge has become bare, the following measures should be taken:
- complete pruning or
- a reduction in height by half
- partial cut at bald spots
- Cut to rejuvenate
With a complete pruning or a drastic reduction in height, the hedge can recover and then form new branches.
Cut right
Basically, when pruning the privet hedge, care should be taken to ensure that the underside always remains wider than the plant mass on the upper side. This ensures that all leaves are supplied with sufficient sunlight.
The following aspects must also be taken into account when cutting back:
- first remove old and diseased branches
- Thin out branches that are too long and very thick
- cut off thick branches in a length of 30-50cm
- cut from top to bottom
Tip: Shoots that are too long or too thick should only be shortened if there are no strong branches yet.
All work steps can be carried out with the ratchet shears or a conventional pruning shears - at least up to the points where new growth begins. In order to cut the privet hedge straight, the electric hedge trimmer is used to shape the hedge. For the most accurate cut possible, a rope with jute twine is stretched between two wooden pillars. The rope then marks the line on which the hedge is to end. In this way, the hobby gardener gets a ruler that he can use as a guide.
The right cut for an opaque privet hedge
Privet hedges are not only cut to rejuvenate them, but also to achieve specific effects; the plant is said to serve as a privacy screen in many gardens. In this case, the hedge is initially only cut on one side; Thinning out creates numerous cavities that must never reach the other side. On the other hand, the hedge remains opaque and protects against prying eyes. The other side can then be cut the following year. In this way, the hedge grows more slowly overall, but privacy is always maintained.
pruning
Pruning the informal hedge
If you want an informal privet hedge, you should consider the following aspects when cutting.
- cut after flowering
- Limit space for the plant
- possibly plant ground cover
Growing the plant as an informal privet hedge creates a lush look for the garden. The fragrant flowers also attract numerous insects.
propagation
Plant propagation with cut shoots
Not all shoots that are removed from the plant during pruning need to end up on the compost. If you want to multiply your privet hedge, you can use the shoots as cuttings, for example. For this purpose, however, they must have a length of at least 20cm. After the cuttings have been cut, they are placed in water and covered with foil; after a few months, the hobby gardener will be happy about a new privet hedge.