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Pruning a new privet hedge

pnwalshpnwalsh Posts: 22
in Plants
I will be planting a new privet hedge in the next couple of days but I don't know if I should prune the young plants back or not? The plants will be 2-3 ft and some internet sites say to prune them back to 1ft after planting and some say to leave them to establish the first year. I want a dense formal hedge eventually so any advice would be appreciated?

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,699
    Generally, it depends on how your shrubs are to begin with. If they are not bushy but quite tall and slim, then you will need to cut them back. Maybe post a picture once you get them. 
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,396
    I would give them a trim and they will grow more bushy and then cut back again next winter.  Privet can take hard pruning but I wouldn't cut them back as hard as as only 1'.
    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
  • pnwalshpnwalsh Posts: 22
    Thank you both. I will get them planted and post a picture so you can see them before I do anything drastic!
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