privet

Privet should be watered deeply once a week or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Make sure to water the entire root zone, ideally with a few gallons of water per plant. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, but never allow it to become bone dry.

Privet (Ligustrum ibolium) requires a moderate amount of sunlight to thrive. While young, it should be placed in semi-shade to protect it from drying out too quickly. On hot, sunny days, the plants should be provided with some partial afternoon shade to protect them from overexposure. As the plant matures, it may be moved into full sun or partial sun. Some afternoon shade is still recommended to prevent the foliage from drying out. In general, privet requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but full sun will enable faster growth. Happy growing!

Privet (Ligustrum ibolium) should be pruned throughout the summer and winter, but especially during the fall season. Prune back no more than 1-third of the plant's foliage in any given season. Pruning should be done carefully, and always start by removing dead or damaged branches first. A sharp pair of pruning shears is helpful in order to make clean cuts. Lightly prune the edges of plant to maintain form and promote a more compact growth. Next, shape the plant by removing wider sections of taller branches to reduce height and width. This will open up the center of the plant and let in more sun and air, which will help keep the plant healthy. Finally, remove sucker growths and shoots that originate from the base of the shrub and crowd other growth. To keep plants healthy, you may want to apply a fertilizer during the summer months.