common privet

Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) should be watered just once per week during the growing season and twice per week if conditions are extremely hot. It will require slightly less water in winter when it is dormant. Water the plant deeply and thoroughly until the moisture has reached the deepest parts of its root system. Soil should be allowed to dry out between watering. During periods of extreme cold, a light misting of the leaves may be necessary to maintain their healthy appearance. However, an excessive amount of water can lead to root rot, so allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) prefers full sun for optimum growth, however it can tolerate partial shade. It will thrive in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but more sunlight will further improve its vigor and flowering. Ideally, the plant should receive sunlight from the east or south in the morning, and from the west or south in the afternoon.

Common privet should be pruned twice a year, in late spring after blooming and again in the late summer. Pruning in the spring will help to shape the shrub and remove any dead or damaged branches. In the late summer, remove 1/3 of the oldest branches from the bottom of the shrub to encourage new growth and keep the plant from becoming overly dense. Pruning tools should be sharp to ensure a clean, precise cut and avoid crushing tissue on the branch. Be sure to remove any suckers that appear near the base of the shrub.