Fertilizing
Feed every 2 weeks during the growing season, from the first new growth in spring to the end of summer, with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength or an organic liquid fertilizer. Always apply it to moist soil, never to a dry root ball.
- Stop feeding in late autumn and winter, while the tree is resting.
- Wait about 4 weeks after repotting before feeding.
Placement
Keep the tree outdoors in full sun to partial shade; morning sun with some shade from the hottest afternoon sun is ideal. Turn it now and then for even growth.
Privet is frost-hardy, but roots in a pot are more sensitive. Protect the pot when frosts drop below about -5°C (23°F), in a sheltered spot, a cold frame or an unheated room.
- Privets sold as indoor bonsai are the same plant and do best outdoors from spring to autumn.
- If you cannot protect it outdoors, overwinter it in a cool, bright, frost-free room, not a warm living room.
Pruning
Privet grows fast and needs regular trimming. Let new shoots grow 6–8 leaves, then cut them back to 1–2 leaf pairs. Do structural pruning in early spring before new growth starts; the tree buds back readily from old wood.
- Remove suckers from the base, which take strength from the crown.
- Regular trimming removes the flower buds; let some shoots grow if you want flowers.
- Wire from late spring to summer; the flexible branches set quickly, so check the wire often.
Repotting
Repot young, vigorous trees every 1–2 years and older trees every 2–3 years, in early spring before the buds open. Privet tolerates hard root pruning well.
- Use a free-draining mix, such as akadama with pumice and lava rock, or about two-thirds mineral grit with a third of organic compost.
- Remove rotten and circling roots to prevent the tree from becoming root-bound.
Watering
Water thoroughly as soon as the top of the soil feels dry. In hot summer weather that may be once or twice a day; avoid waterlogging, which leads to root rot.
- Check moisture by feeling the top centimeter or two of soil.
- In winter, water much less, especially when the tree is cold and has dropped leaves, but do not let it dry out completely.
Seasonal care
- Spring: Repot every 1–3 years before bud break, do structural pruning and start feeding when new growth appears. Remove suckers from the base.
- Summer: Keep the tree in sun with some afternoon shade, water daily in heat and trim shoots back to 1–2 leaf pairs. Wire if needed.
- Autumn: Reduce trimming and stop feeding as growth slows. Black berries may ripen on untrimmed shoots.
- Winter: Keep it outdoors and protect the pot from frosts below about -5°C (23°F). Some leaf drop in cold weather is normal; water sparingly.
Common problems
Privet is very robust; most problems come from wet roots or common sap-sucking pests.
- Root rot: Yellowing leaves, leaf drop and soft roots in soil that stays wet. Repot into a free-draining mix and let the surface dry slightly between waterings.
- Aphids, scale and whiteflies: Sticky leaves, curled shoot tips, brown bumps on stems or tiny white insects under the leaves. Rinse the foliage and treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
- Leaf spot: Brown or purple spots on the leaves in damp weather. Remove affected leaves, improve air flow and avoid wetting the foliage in the evening.
- Toxic berries: Privet berries and leaves are toxic if eaten. Remove the berries if children or pets can reach them.