Care of a new Privet hedge?

sophie1404

Dear all 

I am looking for some advice on how to care for my privet hedge this winter.  We put in the new plants in the spring and since then I've watered them quite regularly and they all look quite healthy.  

However, I'd really like to help them to survive well over the winter and, in Spring I presume, give them a good dose of something to aid growth.

This is my first privet hedge so any help however basic gratefully received!

Many thanks

Sophie 

musher

HI Sophie, They'll be fine over the winter. Their as tough as they come.

Dovefromabove

Nothing to do to them at this time of year Sophie unless you want to give them a mulch of composted bark or something to smarten the area up (but they'll be fine without) - some Fish Blood and Bone in the spring will be good.  Otherwise just keep the hedgeline weeded and clear of rubbish. 

sophie1404

Really useful, thank you.  And one other question; some of their leaves are yellowing - not a lot but a few - whereas the existing hedge which has been there at least 10 years or so, still seems entirely green.  Anything to worry about?  Thank you again.  

Fairygirl

They aren't technically evergreen, so some foliage loss is normal. Young plants are more susceptible than a mature hedge too. 

If you're in a drier area, they benefit from plenty of moisture, so a mulch, as Dove suggests, is a really good idea at this time of year for retaining that, as well as for aesthetic purposes. I've just done my blackthorn hedge as it's not in the best area of ground, although we don't have to worry about not getting enough water here.

sophie1404

Great, that's what I was hoping was happening!  Many thanks to you all for your replies, much appreciated.  

Redwing

I would suggest giving them a trim in February to encourage bushy growth. They can easily grow 2' in a year.