Box Leaf Privet Hedge
Widely used as a hedge plant Ligustrum Undulatum or Box Leaved Privet, forms an ideal small hedge to 1.5m.
This is a safer alternative to its larger leafed relatives, this species has small leaves, grows rapidly and rarely seems to produce seed, thus virtually eliminating its weed potential.
As a hedge it is fast growing and dense, it has dark green foliage and although it can be reasonably tall if left unpruned, it is very happy at between around 1 and 1.5m in height. An excellent low growing hedge.
Glossy dark green foliage, fast growing and easy to prune Ligustrum Undulatum can be purchased as tube stock or more advanced plants. Prefering full sun and a humus rich well drained soil Ligustrum Undulatum is frost hardy and well suited to Australian conditions.
Spacing and Planting distance
If you are looking for a taller hedge then it is a fast growing alternative to reach up to 3m in height. If you have been watching the grand tour of Italian gardens you will have seen some of these hedges in Northern Italy.
One big issue with hedges of all sorts is having them planted to close to a pathway of fence. Although you plant them close together to get a bushy hedge they need some room in front and behind to grow. Now Box leafed privet is no exception.
When planing your hedge allow around 4 plants a metre spacing, so plant at a distance of 25cm between plants. You can stretch this out a little however it will take longer to form that nice tight hedge you are looking for. Give them a distance of at least 40 cm from a fence or pathway.
Care and Planting
Ligustrum Undulatum is a tough easy to care for hedging plant that can be pruned to make a formal hedge along a fenceline, path or driveway.
This is a hardy plant and copes well with a variety of soil types, even poorer soils. However it will be heather and faster growing in a soil that is humus rich and moisture retentive. Having said that this regarded as a drought tolerant plant once established.
- Before planting. Dig the area well and amend the soil with some well rotted compost.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser and mulch to retain moisture.
- Water when establishing and then through the first summer or any dry period.
- Fertilize with a slow release fertiliser in spring and again in autumn.
- Check for soil moisture during dry spells.
Pruning and maintenance
Pruning is best carried out regularly, and although best in spring you can also prune lightly into summer, and if it is growing well again in early autumn (so 3 times a year). When you first plant remember to prune to encourage a bushy habit. As this is a small leafed plant mechanical pruners (electric pruners are OK) can be used.
Ligustrum Varieties
- L. ‘Lemon Lime Clippers’, a good variegated form suited to hedging.
- L. undulatum, a small leafed privet with green oval foliage.
- L. coriacium is a curly leafed privet, reaches around 2m in height.
- L. japonicum is the wax leafed privet, deep green glossy foliage with white flowers in spring.
Invasive Ligustrum or Privet species
The invasive types include the broad leafed privet, L. lucidum, L. sinensis and L. vulgare. These types are not offered widely.
So although Privet gets a bad wrap, the varieties offered by most nurseries are in fact fairly well behaved. Ligustrum species are best pruned in spring as new growth commences to maintain size and shape. Use them as hedging plants or green background plants in the garden border.
Alternatives
If you are looking for a taller, narrow hedge you many consider Buxus Graham Blandy
Ligustrum Undulatum or Privet is available for sale form the following nurseries
Online and Retail Melbourne and Geelong based garden centres. Check out their large range of indoor and outdoor plants, Australian Natives, Fruit Trees and Edibles, Succulents, Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas plus a full range garden products for delivery in Melbourne.
www.diacos.com.au
862 Midland Highway Mount Rowan Vic 3352
We offer over 245 varieties of Fuchsia, tubestock, pots, baskets and standards. Mail order specialists. Open 7 days by appointment.
www.brenlissaonlinenursery.com.au
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service.
www.blericktreefarm.com.au