Privet hedge grow

theo_brooks

Hi,

New to the forum and my gardening knowledge is rather limited!

The house I bought 3 years ago has a lovely 5/6ft privet hedge that wraps around the house, it’s great but a lot of work to keep on top of!

Last year I realised it was thinning and bare so I attempted to have a cut back and clear out of any dead branches etc. This year I have again cut back on one side and noticed some new shoots. Can someone confirm if these new shoots is Privet and NOT weeds?!! And if so whats the best way to nurture these to become bushy and integrate with the existing roots?

Thanks in advance,
T

Borderline

Can't see that well, but it all looks good to me. Maybe another photo of the bottom section with larger looking leaves just to be sure. They look a bit like Honeysuckle leaves, but could be wrong. The upper parts are growing back. Be patient with Privet, they do sometimes lose their leaves in exposed and cold winters, but usually grow back.

theo_brooks

Thanks for the quick response. Below is another part of my hedge with leaves growing so you can compare with a closer image of the new shoots

Silver surfer

Last pic looks like Vinca rather than Ligustrum..Privet.

Borderline

I agree with Silver surfer with the bottom photo. It looks like Vinca Major scrambling around the bottom of the hedge. The privet hedge looks to be growing back.

theo_brooks

Thanks for that. 

I’d prefer the hedge to remain the same, would you advise to remove the Vinca to allow growth of the main privet hedge or will both grow in harmony and blend in to produce a thicker hedge. Yep, getting growth on the side I did some work on last year which is nice.

Thanks for your help.

Borderline

Your hedge is mature so Vinca Major will not harm the hedge, but may start to climb into your hedge. This plant is vigorous and will keep scrambling along and form new plants as it touches the ground. It's probably from a neighbouring garden or the original plant somewhere else from your own garden.

Digging it up completely may take a while as the runners under the soil can go long and deep. Personally, I would just weed a bit of it out once a year just to keep it in check.