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Garden Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium

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metres
Volume Discount 1+ 10+ 50+ 250+
60-80cm / Bare root £4.20 £2.40 £1.80 £1.50

British Grown – The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more

Product Description

LIGUSTRUM OVALIFOLIUM – Garden Privet
 
Characteristics

Oval Leaved or Garden Privet a common hedging plant that can be seen in every town and village, originally from Japan it has been grown as a hedging plant in the UK for many years.

Though it is the fashion to revile it, in fertile soil it is evergreen, only tending to lose its leaves in poor soil or severe winters.  It can grow to a height of 4m(12ft) but not much taller which makes it less of a possible problem plant than the Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis Leylandii) which replaced it as the most popular evergreen screening plant in the 1970’s and which has more of a potential to get out of hand.

It has glossy green leaves, dull white flowers that have an unpleasant smell and shining black berries which birds love but are poisonous to humans.

Where to grow

It is easy to grow in most fertile garden soils.  If it is replacing an existing hedge or filling gaps it is important to incorporate plenty organic matter and fertilizer at the time of planting.

Did you know?

Privet hedges need to be trimmed several times during a growing season, in order to maintain their shape. Regularly trimmed plants do not produce flowers or fruit.

 

Features

Mature Height

Very Small up to 5 metres

Spread

0-5 metres

Shape / Habit

Shrub Multi-Stem

Growth Rate

Medium

Soil Type

All soil types

Sun Levels

Full sun
Partial shade

Difficulty / Hard to Grow

Medium

Evergreen / Deciduous

Semi-Evergreen

Leaf Colour

Green

Foliage

Dense
Small leaves

Flower Colour

White

Flowering Month

July
August

Berries / Fruit Colour

Black

Uses

Screening
Garden Tree
Small garden Tree
Wind break

Hedging

Flowering Hedge
Berrying Hedge
Holds its leaves

Scent

Scented Flowers

Season

Winter
Summer

Aftercare

Pruning Ligustrum Ovalifolium

Ligustrum Ovalifolium will put on lots of growth each year, to keep on top of the size and shape you will need to prune a few times a year. Although regular pruning is needed to keep the shrub manageable, this will be at the expense of flowers.

What time of year should I prune? Prune in spring. Trimming can also be done in summer.

 

For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.

Watering

The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.

Weed Control

One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital that for at least 3 years after planting your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass.

  1. Mulch mats are an effective way to stop grass and weeds, although they will require a careful eye to make sure they continue to work. After clearing the ground around the tree, firmly fit the mat by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. Be careful not to allow the woodchip to touch the stem as it can cause rot.
  2. Weed killer is very effective, however it is harmful to the environment. Organic weed killers usually do not kill roots. Weed killer needs to be applied each year for the first 3 years, preferably when the tree is dormant, or just once before applying a mulch mat.
  3. Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.

Staking

If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.

Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.

  • 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
  • 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
  • 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
  • All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.

Ties

Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.

Protection from Animal Damage

Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.

Are the delivery costs the same no matter how many plants I order?

Yes the delivery costs stay the same no matter how many plants you have on your order. They are worked out based on your distance from our nursery and can be found here.

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