Privet is not only a popular hedge plant. It can also be grown as a topiary, standard tree and even as a bonsai. The propagation of this undemanding shrub is very easy. How to propagate privet.

If you propagate privet yourself, the new hedge costs nothing

Methods to propagate privet

  • cuttings
  • stick
  • lowering
  • seed

Propagation via seeds from the slightly poisonous berries is theoretically possible, but is almost never used. The seeds germinate very slowly and it takes a lot of patience to grow a small privet plant.

On the other hand, propagation via cuttings, sticks or sinkers is possible without any problems, since the shoots root very quickly. Since the shrub has to be cut frequently, especially in the first few years, there are a lot of shoots for propagation.

Propagate privet by cuttings

To propagate privet from cuttings, you need young shoots. They should be 20 cm long. Spring is the best time to propagate cuttings.

Remove the lower leaves and cut off the top of the shoot. This will ensure that the offshoot later branches out better. Put the cuttings in prepared pots or outdoors so deep in the ground that about five cm are still sticking out at the top. Water copiously with water so that the cuttings can root quickly.

Rooting occurs very quickly. You can usually plant the young privet plants in autumn as a hedge or individual shrub in the desired location.

Put sticks in the ground

Small branches of the privet, which are already lignified, serve as sticks. The best time for this type of propagation is late summer.

You simply stick the branches into the ground at the intended location, a few centimeters deep. Tread the soil well so that the stick is firmly in place.

Now the offshoot only needs a lot of water so that it can root. That almost always works. To be on the safe side, insert a few more sticks so that you can replace any failures.

Pull privet out of sinkers

To grow privet from sinkers, you need a mature mother plant with shoots long enough to bend toward the ground.

Carefully score the shoot with the knife and lay it on the ground. Pile up dirt on top and if necessary secure the insert with tent pegs or rocks. The tip of the shoot still has to look out of the ground. Don't forget to water the sinker.

You can recognize rooting by the new growth of leaves and small twigs. Now you can separate the offshoot from the mother plant and plant it in the garden.

tips

A privet hedge is probably the easiest hedge type to look after. It requires little maintenance other than frequent pruning. Privet is robust and frugal and therefore particularly suitable for maintenance in the city.

Category:

Garden design