Bare Box Type Hedge

Beebo

Hi there,

Moved into the house a couple of years ago and inherited a Box type hedge at the front. Right by the front gate there is a bare patch that is triangular in shape, i wonder whether someone might have bashed into it in passing. If I cut away the bare patch, do you think it will grow back over time. I'm also trying to grow the hedge higher in order to gain more privacy from the street, how am I best to do this whilst keeping everything looking neat?

Thanks in advance,

Money_maker

This could be privet rather than box, any chance of checking?

Beebo

Oh yes, just googlewhacked it and it is indeed a privet hedge. Thanks for that.

Beebo

anyone with any ideas?

Money_maker

Just bumping for you. These can be quite notorious for bare patches and aren't terribly fast growing either.

Beebo

Bumpity bump..... can anyone help me with this?

x

gardenroute

Sorry moneymaker, I can cut privet three or four times a year, compared to just once or twice with other types of hedge. In shade privet can become drawn out. This may make the base a little bare. One way around this is to 'batter' the sides slightly; i.e. sloping in towards the top. This allows the base to have more sunlight.
If it gets enought sun, it should fill any gaps naturally; but I would check the bare area for split/broken branches and cut them back to healthy tissue. If there is no sign of physical damage, I would keep an eye on it. If a bare patch appears at the base of a hedge and then slowly spreads it could be a fungal disease such as honey fungus (which does affect privet). Check the new growth as well. If the growth is poor and dies back after a few weeks then it definitely is a disease. The best thing to do then is remove the infected plant, and let the hedge thicken up by itself.
The secret to a good hedge is the same as lawns. Take a little off often rather than waiting and suddenly hacking it back. Keep the sides well trimmed and any excessively long stems off the top and you should have the hedge you need in no time. A mulch/organic feed is always apppreciated by privet.

Beebo

Hi gardenroute,

on close inspection the bare patch is at the top of the privet and I wonder as it's on a busyish street whether someone has fallen into. In which case would it be ok to cut it back to where there is as you say 'healthy tissue'? Hope that make sense.


Pam

gardenroute

Pam
a branch that has been physically damaged will have small splits down the branch and/or the cuts will be jagged. Make a clean cut below any damage. Privet is a sturdy plant. I'm sure in a few weeks, even if you just leave it, it will recover.

Beebo

Will try it out at the weekend, thanks for that gardenroute.:)