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New privet hedge how to encourage fill in

leannecwaltonleannecwalton Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hi,
I've just planted a new privet "hedge",how do I encourage it to fill in the gaps? Ideally I'd like it to reach 1 metre in height so do I leave it to reach required height before pruning?
Thank you.

Posts

  • leannecwaltonleannecwalton Posts: 5

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Trim all the tops so that it is about 30cm high now. That will encourage it to branch from low down.  Keep trimming it, letting it grow 20cm, then trim 10cm off it.  If you just leave it it will get tall quicker, but will not be filled out.
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    What you cut off the top pop in the ground between original plants, chances are they will root. Is it Golden Privet, with a large leaf?
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Also trim any long shoots that are growing out of the sides of the hedge to help the sides thicken up. You can leave the ones growing sideways towards their neighbours, so that they meet up to form a continuous hedge, or just nip the tips off to encourage branching.
    Well done for choosing small plants to start with (so many people choose big ones and then struggle to get them established), but be aware that when the hedge is grown it's going to overhang the pavement. If that's not allowed where you are, you might want to consider moving them a bit further into the garden, to leave a gap of half the final width of the hedge. It would also be a good idea to widen the grass-free strip to reduce competition for water and nutrients.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • leannecwaltonleannecwalton Posts: 5
    Loraine3 said:
    What you cut off the top pop in the ground between original plants, chances are they will root. Is it Golden Privet, with a large leaf?
    Yes it is. Woukd I need to use rooting powder? 
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    I wouldn't think you would need rooting powder, but if you have some it may root quicker.
  • leannecwaltonleannecwalton Posts: 5
    Loraine3 said:
    I wouldn't think you would need rooting powder, but if you have some it may root quicker.
    Hi, I done what you said but they appear to be wilting? 
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