For the most part, privet hedges are pretty tough customers and don’t get sick very often. However, if your hedge does come down with something, it’s usually “leaf spot” fungus. The good news? It’s easy to spot and, in most cases, pretty simple to get under control.
Signs Your Privet Has Leaf Spot
You’ll know you’re dealing with leaf spot primarily by looking at the foliage. If those lush green leaves start turning yellow right in the middle of summer and you notice dark spots appearing on the upper surface, there’s a good chance a fungus has moved in.
What Causes Leaf Spot?
There are a few reasons why your privet might be struggling. Often, fungal spores are already hanging out on neighboring plants in your garden and simply hop over to your hedge. However, many times the issue comes down to where the plant is growing or how it’s being cared for. Soil that stays too wet or has poor drainage is a major invitation for fungus. On the flip side, extremely dry conditions can also stress the plant enough to let the fungus take hold.
How to Get Rid of Leaf Spot
The cool thing about privet is that it’s a fighter—usually, the plant will try to beat the fungus on its own. You really only need to step in if the plant is very young or if the infestation looks particularly nasty. Keep in mind that there aren’t many over-the-counter sprays that are both effective and approved for home use.
Your best bet is to grab your shears and prune away any infected branches and shoots. Don’t be afraid to give it a heavy pruning if the situation looks dire; privets are resilient! Just make sure to toss those clippings in the regular trash. Whatever you do, keep them out of your compost pile, or the spores will just hitch a ride on the wind and infect the rest of your yard.
You should also rake up and bag any fallen leaves from under the hedge for the same reason—those spores love to linger in garden debris.
Preventing Fungal Issues
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Here’s how to keep your hedge healthy:
- Look for fungus-resistant privet varieties when you’re shopping at the nursery.
- Keep your soil moisture in the “Goldilocks zone”—not too wet, not too dry.
- Give your hedge a little boost with fertilizer every now and then, but don’t overdo it.
- Give your plants some breathing room. Proper spacing ensures good airflow and prevents diseases from jumping from one plant to the next.
- Keep your garden tools clean. Disinfecting your shears prevents you from accidentally spreading spores the next time you prune.
