Pruning privet hedges: professional tips for the perfect cut

In order to keep a privet hedge in shape, it must be regularly pruned. Here, you will learn everything you need to know about the correct procedures for pruning privet hedges.

Beautiful hedges can be grown from privet (Ligustrum). If you, do it right, you’ll soon have a beautiful, dense hedge that will keep prying eyes out of your garden. If you have chosen a suitable time for pruning, you will be able to enjoy its wonderful fragrant flowers. Bees, butterflies and fly species will also thank you. The dark berries then herald autumn and delight a wide variety of bird species.

Privet is very fast growing. The plant can grow 30 centimetres or more per year – up to a total height of five metres. Pruning becomes indispensable if the privet is to keep its shape. Fortunately, these hardy plants are very tolerant of pruning. Regular pruning promotes branching and makes a hedge opaquer. There are no limits to your creativity, because privet can also be cut into beautiful shapes such as spheres, pyramids or spirals.

Pruning privet hedges: the right time

For optimal growth, young privet must be pruned several times per year. Two pruning’s a year are the general rule. The first pruning should be done in early spring, just before the plant produces new shoots. The second pruning is a little more difficult, since pruning in June or July removes flowers that are valuable for pollinators. In addition, major interventions are not allowed at this time, because other animals like to nest in the branches. You can only cut back again in October, but a little more carefully than in spring. A problem with this second pruning, however, is that you can remove the berries which are valuable for birds.

Older privet, fortunately, only needs to be pruned once a year. This preserves flowers and fruit for wildlife. A few aesthetic corrections in summer are also possible, with caution and consideration for breeding bird species.

How to prune privet hedges

You really cannot do much wrong when pruning privet, because the plant is extremely resilient. The decisive factor is, above all, the timing. When pruning back in spring, you can be a bit more radical so that the hedge is nice and dense and does not look bare. You can cut the hedge down halfway if you dare. If the privet does become overgrown, you can also cut it back radically. Ideally, do this in early spring, because birds like to nest in the branches of the hedge during summer. Too late in the year, heavy pruning will weaken the plant before winter.

Of course, to stimulate the growth of the hedge, the plants also need sufficient nutrients.