This week, a question from our own test garden! This is Sunshine ligustrum, a wonderful plant for half a day or more of sunshine. The picture on the top is how it should look; the picture on the bottom is how this plant looks in the test garden right now.
The plant on the bottom has been attacked by caterpillars. There’s more than one possible caterpillar species that eat privet; leafroller caterpillars are the most likely critter this time of year. They’re small, greenish, and much harder to see than you’d expect. They’ll strip a plant like this quickly! The plant on the right was handsome just two weeks before. And this plant isn’t alone! Variegated privets are being hit right now as well. Give yours a quick check to make sure you don’t have a problem developing.
If you do have this problem beginning, it’s fixable. Privet are resilient and will regrow, as long as they aren’t stripped of leaves several times in the next few years. Any insecticide that kills caterpillars will get the job done. We’d most recommend Captain Jack Deadbug Brew (spinosad). It’s organic, not very toxic to mammals, and effective. Trim the plant back a bit, and spray weekly until you’re certain you have no new damage. Expect a modest flush of new growth when temperatures break this September.