Green Privit hedge problem

valesmurkitt · June 2023

I have a problem with my privit. This was a healty plant until 2 years ago & had recovered over winter from the same problem but now new growth is dying off & leaves are sticky & discoloured. Any ideas please..I am desperate

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Fairygirl · June 2023

Can we have a photo of the hedge from further away?

Sticky foliage can often just be aphids or similar, with their honeydew secretions being attractive to ants, so they get harvested for that, and many people have reported huge numbers this spring because of general conditions being right for them.

Privet is extremely tough though, and usually recovers well if it has a good trim, and there's plenty of rain to help it through the growing season, so your general growing conditions may be a factor too.

valesmurkitt · June 2023

Thank you, just one point I had this problem Spring time last year the hedge recovered over Winter & was growing fine this year following winter. This problem started again within the past 2 weeks on all growth but new growth is dying. I have another hedge on my other boundry which is fine.

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Fairygirl · June 2023

Are both hedges planted as in the last pic - into those tiny holes in paviours? That isn't a great site for any kind of planting. Even privet would struggle with that

The proximity of the solid driveway [?] on the other side of the paviours means there won't be much decent soil for roots to thrive and grow well.

Privet is pretty tolerant, but it needs a decent enough base and conditions to do well long term.

valesmurkitt · June 2023

99% 0f the hedge is in open garden 1 meter wide 25 meters long with pavers on both sides & has thrived for years so pavers have nothing to do with it. Obviously you have no idea what the problem is. Any other ideas?

Lyn · June 2023

valesmurkitt said:

99% 0f the hedge is in open garden 1 meter wide 25 meters long with pavers on both sides & has thrived for years so pavers have nothing to do with it. Obviously you have no idea what the problem is. Any other ideas?

Obviously @fairygirl does, You can’t expect a huge plant like a privet to grow well a tiny square like that.

Hope you get the reply you want.

Dovefromabove · June 2023

They’ve thrived for years in that situation … using up all the nutrition in that patch of soil, and it can’t be replenished because of the pavers, driveway etc … also we’ve have the drought and high temperatures of last year followed by an exceptionally dry spring and early summer this year.

The fact that you say there was a similar problem during last years high temperatures and drought which resolved until this years high temperatures and drought would support my suggestion that they’re suffering from a lack of moisture right down at root level (18” or so below the surface).

As the privet bushes have grown they’ve needed more and more in the way of moisture and sustenance but surrounded by impermeable surfaces they’re unable to get it, so they become stressed and susceptible to infestation by aphids, scale insects etc. and also more and more prone to problems like powdery mildew (which is a cultural problem).

Once a few of the bushes are host to aphids, scale insects etc they become a reservoir from which the problem spreads along the hedge.

Of course, you may be disappointed with my answer too … but, from the information you’ve provided to us that is my best suggestion.

However if you can come up with any additional information, it may be that we can make some additional suggestions as to the cause of problem and some solutions.

bédé · June 2023

Lyn said:

Obviously @fairygirl does, You can’t expect a huge plant like a privet to grow well a tiny square like that.
Hope you get the reply you want.

It's not just tiny square thre is obviosly a lot od soil down there, and plenty of water can get through the joins.

Hope you get the reply you NEED.

Fairygirl · June 2023

The healthy bit appears to be next to grass, which means better access to soil and moisture etc, but the photos and descriptions aren't clear enough - not to me anyway. The ones in the little holes have lots of hard surface either side, right up close to the plants, and with the best will in the world, the soil will not be as good because of footings etc, leading to the kind of problems @Dovefromabove has described

That's all I'm saying. Clearly -my comments and advice aren't wanted anyway though!

Dovefromabove · June 2023

bédé said:

Lyn said:

Obviously @fairygirl does, You can’t expect a huge plant like a privet to grow well a tiny square like that.
Hope you get the reply you want.

It's not just tiny square thre is obviosly a lot od soil down there, and plenty of water can get through the joins.

Hope you get the reply you NEED.

Water from where? Rain? When?

bédé · June 2023

Dovefromabove said:

bédé said:

Lyn said:

Obviously @fairygirl does, You can’t expect a huge plant like a privet to grow well a tiny square like that.
Hope you get the reply you want.

It's not just tiny square thre is obviosly a lot od soil down there, and plenty of water can get through the joins.

Hope you get the reply you NEED.

Water from where? Rain? When?

I can only go by the information I am given. It doesn;t look short of water.

Green Privit hedge problem

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