- Why isn't the privet growing?
- A good location for privet
- Sufficient moisture is important
- Be careful when fertilizing
- Check soil for vine weevils
Privet is a very robust plant that gets along well with almost all soil and site conditions. Occasionally gardeners complain that the shrub or hedge is not doing well. What is the reason if privet does not grow properly and how can this be changed?

Why isn't the privet growing?
If the privet is not growing properly, it is usually due to a less than favorable location or incorrect care. Only rarely are pests like the vine weevil to blame.
- Location too dark
- Soil with waterlogging
- Substrate too dry
- too much / too little fertilized
- pest infestation
A good location for privet
Privet grows best in sunny and partially shaded locations. Direct shade does not do the shrub well. It needs light to form leaves and shoots. If the place is too dark, privet grows very slowly or not at all.
Sufficient moisture is important
Privet likes it always slightly damp, but does not tolerate waterlogging. If it stops growing, the soil may be too dry. You need to water the shrub or hedge well, especially after planting and trimming.
Waterlogging is even worse than drought. Make sure that the substrate is well drained. If necessary, create a drainage.
Be careful when fertilizing
Privet does not need many nutrients. A single fertilization in the spring with slow-release fertilizer or compost is usually sufficient. The shrub does not get too much fertilizer. Too high a supply of nutrients can cause the privet to stop growing.
Check soil for vine weevils
The shrub is very robust, so that pests usually cannot harm it. However, if he cares, it is worth taking a look at the roots. If you find damage caused by feeding there, you should keep an eye out for the vine weevil. The larvae eat the roots and shoots so that the privet is no longer optimally supplied with water or nutrients.
Fight vine weevils with nematodes, roundworms that you can get from garden retailers.
tips
Before planting privet, you should soak the shrub's root ball in a bucket of water for 24 hours. After planting, you need to water well, even if it just rained.