Planting a hedge
By Bigdawgbaker
United Kingdom 
I am looking to plant a common green privet hedge. The sort of thing you would see in a standard traditional garden. Can anyone give me advice on what the names would be for this sort of thing? I intend to plant them against a wooden fence, wait until they are 6ft+ tall then take the fence down, as I hate it. Some advice on types please, would ideally like to have it 6ft in 2-3 years or less. Thanks
3 May, 2009
Answers
Ligustrum is the name you will find the common privet under. Ligustrium Aureum is the golden privet Ligustrum Vulgare is the common privet but the garden centre will help you any further.
3 May, 2009
Just be aware if you do plant it that privet is a gross feeder and you will not find it easy to grow anything near it.
3 May, 2009
Can I mix the two for a gold n green hedge? "Ligustrum is the name you will find the common privet under. Ligustrium Aureum is the golden privet Ligustrum Vulgare is the common privet"
3 May, 2009
Yes I have seen mixed ones and they are very attractive brightens the hedge up.
3 May, 2009
Any idea how many I would need to do a 22m run? When is the best time to actually plant them, and what sort of spacing would be best? Thanks
3 May, 2009
30 cms appart but if you want a thick hedge plant a double staggered row. The golden variety is a brighter colour if planted in a sunny position
3 May, 2009
I think mixed is sounding good. Just explain double staggered to me ! :-)
I am not looking to go too thick, maybe 30cms thick or smoething liek that. What I need to do is grow it up, remove the fence and then let it grow out again where the fence would have been, then shape it I guess
3 May, 2009
Rather than plant in a straight line plant every other in a double line. but I would think a single line would suit you.
3 May, 2009
Ok, thanks for the advice. It seem I can get 66, 33 of each colour, for £127, which seems reasonable. 80cm high, so a decent start, but reading about it I should cut a 3rd off as soon as I plant them to encourage them to bush out at the bottom
3 May, 2009
Previous question
Hi! Welcome to goy! Can I persuade you to consider having a mixed hedge instead? It would be ideal for wildlife and would be more interesting than just privet, even if you have a variegated one. 60% of which is hawthorn, the rest is blackthorn, Guelder Rose, dog rose and Spindle. I've just done this, in fact, you can see my blog on it today!
I'm planning on growing mine to 5 or 6 feet as I don't want to replace the fence in a few years. I double planted mine, ie 2 rows, 1 whip per 1/2 metre.
I bought my whips from tel. 01798831008. I got 50 whips (minimum order) for £60 inc. post, I think if I remember rightly. You have to plant them in as soon as you get them tho'. The ones I got where 3 years old, and it is recommended that you trim them down by a third on planting, to encourage the roots to establish themselves. They do soon grow quickly tho'. Don't forget to water thoroughly once a week for the first year or so.
Happy hunting!
3 May, 2009