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Privet

Dig2006Dig2006 Posts: 65
in Problem solving
Hi my privet hedge has some yellow leaves, some yellow with brown spots and curling.  And a few of the plants have some white residue on.  So I am going to treat with fungicde.  Im also going to clear debris away beneath the plants and put some compast around the base of each plant.  I also want to give it some fertilizer (never done this before), but no idea which one to use. When I look on google it comes up with one for buxus plants. Mine is Ligustrum Ovalifolium.  Can anyone advise me what I can use. Would like to do it this weekend. thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited June 2023
    It's probably just bone dry. Privet drops leaves, and has yellowing ones at various times - just like all evergreens/semi evergreens.
    Don't feed plants which are stressed. Just water. There's also no point in using fungicides if you don't really know what the problem is. It may just be a bit of aphid sap sucking damage. 
    If you can post a photo, that will  help with advice.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    Good advice from @Fairygirl. Privet is a really tough plant and there is no need for chemicals.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • Dig2006Dig2006 Posts: 65
    I will take a photo. But the main thing is a i want to give them a feed, this particular area the hedge struggles to grow, unlike some others i have. Just dont know if i can use the buxus stuff
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Feed the soil, with  any organic matter - manure/compost/leaf mould etc. Thoroughly soak the area first, then mulch to boost the soil structure and it's health. 
    Artificially feeding a stressed plant of any kind is never a good idea. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    After watering deeply, the best thing you can do is to apply a mulch of organic matter around the base of the plants to help to retain to moisture and make nutrients available naturally.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • Dig2006Dig2006 Posts: 65
    thank you. I will add compost and give it a good water, though I have been doing this regularly.  does anyone know of a fertiliser that can be used with privet?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've never fed privet, but if you desperately want to do that, seaweed is ideal for any foliage plant. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited June 2023
    Feeding privet -  never heard of it.  Not worth the care.  The last time I grew privet was in seaside sand, it found plenty of food.

     If you really want to, use cheapest NPK, like Growmore.

    Privet is not forever green.  The leaves last about a year and then die.  New leaves have usually grown befor the old ones are lost.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Dig2006Dig2006 Posts: 65
    Just for info, feeding the privet worked wonders.
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