The privet ordinary is a deciduous shrub that can have a length of up to five meters. As a rule, its crown is wide and asymmetrical; it grows very slowly. It is quite dense, with dense branches. Many gardeners are thinking about decorating their plot with such a plant as privet ordinary. Landing and caring for it are quite simple, therefore they do not require special skills.
Ligustrum vulgare - privet ordinary
The flowering period begins in early summer and lasts until about the end of July. Fruits that are considered poisonous ripen by September and can be stored on branches until frost. The flowers have a rather pungent smell and form inflorescences of a racemose form. Fruits are black with a glossy surface. Leaflets of privet narrow and long, in the fall they turn yellow-green.
In many design projects for the arrangement of the plot, privet is used. Planting, cultivation, care and pruning are mandatory components, although the plant can take root on almost any soil, except those that contain acid peat substrates. Privet tolerates drought well and does not need frequent watering. It is often used as a hedge, because it is easy to cut.
This type of plant withstands temperature values within 30 degrees of frost, therefore it is used to create ball shapes, pyramids, cylinders and other decorative elements in garden and park areas.
To always look well-groomed privet ordinary, landing and care should be carried out in accordance with all the rules. The set of measures is simple, but it must be carried out regularly.
How to care?
So that there is aeration, and the roots do not suffer from overheating, it is necessary from early spring to the end of the season to constantly loosen the soil under the bush. Mulching is better in late spring. This time is the most suitable for this procedure: the soil will be sufficiently moist and warmed up.
The plant prefers sunny areas, but grows well in partial shade. Privet is unpretentious, but needs a regular decorative haircut.
How to prune a plant?
The shrub responds well to pruning and gives a thick, branched crown. Thanks to this, it is considered one of the best planting materials that are used to form curbs and hedges. Experts recommend carrying out the procedure in the evening, and then wrap the plant with a damp cloth. In the morning it can be removed. So the wounds will heal much faster.
A hedge is usually cut in May and in August. Thin out approximately 1/3. But in no case should you carry out the procedure during flowering.
If the winter is very harsh, then the tips of the shoots can freeze. You should not be afraid of this, since during spring pruning all damaged branches are removed.
Watering Rules
Humidification is especially necessary for young bushes. The frequency of watering should be about five times for the entire growing season. The liquid rate is 35-50 liters per square meter. It is better to water rarely, but plentifully. It is necessary to moisten the soil around the bush in a radius of 50 centimeters.
Do I need to feed?
Spring non-root top dressing should be carried out before the buds open, and the average temperature in the street will be about five degrees heat. Spraying is carried out with a concentrated urea solution. The procedure will help get rid of wintering parasites. In ten liters of water you need to dilute 500 grams of fertilizer. This will help enrich the plant with nitrogen.
You can feed the privet in the root way, which must be done before the buds open, but after the ground thaws. In the same amount of water, a little granular fertilizer should be diluted. A solution of urea must be watered. In autumn, it is enough to apply potash fertilizers to make plants easier to survive frosts.
What are the spots on the leaves?
Sometimes greenish or grayish spots appear on the leaves of privet. This may indicate that the soil has a high acidity. To solve the problem, liming should be carried out regularly. The procedure is carried out in the fall, sprinkling a thin layer of slaked lime. This will help get rid of spots on the leaves.
Dolomite flour will help normalize the acidity of the soil . In addition, it will enrich the soil with trace elements that are necessary for the plant. The advantage of this method is that the fertilizer has an unlimited shelf life and low cost.
What you need to know when landing?
Novice gardeners often ask themselves: "What is privet ordinary?" The description, fit and care are pretty simple. The place where the bush will grow should be selected so that it is not too dark. If stationary buildings are located on the site, then it is necessary to deviate from them by about 100 cm. This will allow you to carry out a haircut with comfort.
In order to form decorative elements from a single plant, you need to prepare the territory. The soil within 20-30 cm must be dug up and a hole made. Its depth should be somewhere around 30 cm greater than the root system. Pit should be filled with water and wait until it is absorbed. After that, you can fill the mixture from soil and compost in a ratio of 1: 1. When planting a plant, it is necessary to ensure that the roots are well spread.
When the privet landing is successfully carried out, it is worth taking care of leaving. Particular attention must be paid to initial pruning. It is very important for the proper formation of the crown. To create a single array, shorten the branches by 1/3.
In order for the privet to take root, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the soil during the first three weeks: it must be sufficiently moistened. After watering, you can only do it in a drought. The trunk circle of the bush is mulched with a layer of several centimeters.
Decorative fence
Shrub privet for hedges is used very often, as it is great for landscaping. Design projects can be performed independently or entrusted to professionals. This plant is widely used for landscaping and creating hedges. But you still have to take care of the planting material.
Before landing, you need to outline the line of the future row. A rope is used for this. It must be pulled along the dug trench in which the bushes will grow. They should be planted at a distance of about 40 cm from each other. Plants need to be alternated, turning the lush side in different directions.
When the planting is over, you need to carefully water the soil under the root so that it is well saturated.
Pests and diseases
Many gardeners worry that the privet will be attacked by pests. Planting and care, if carried out correctly, will protect the plant from such misfortune. The shrub is adapted to various adverse conditions and is very hardy.
In summer, you need to remove the points of excessive plant growth. It is also necessary to cut off those shoots that grow at right angles to the hedge. After the procedure, privet is fed and treated with fungicide. This will help the shoots grow evenly and protect against fungal diseases.
Types of privet
In decorative gardening, more than twenty species of this plant are used. All of them are deciduous shrubs or small trees with a dense crown. Flowers can have a different color: from white to yellowish. Berries are always poisonous.
The characteristics of various types of privet can be clarified at a specialized outlet where the plant will be purchased. There you can also get information about decorative varieties of foreign selection.
They can be with variegated leaves, fruits of bright colors or with round dwarf crowns.
All gardeners note how unpretentious privet is ordinary. Planting and care depend on what soil it grows on. If moisture stagnates, the plant may lose its decorative effect. It is best if loose loams and a large amount of leaf humus are present. With a strong compaction of the soil, you need to dig it up regularly.
All kinds of privet tolerate cold well if they are covered with dry leaves. Evergreen varieties can be grown in greenhouses. In case of freezing, the plant is quickly restored, if appropriate conditions are created for it.
Considering the topic "Privet: varieties, features of planting, care and propagation of shrubs", do not forget that all species of this plant are bred vegetatively. Privet, which is wild, can breed by sowing seeds.