By Bez
Cumbria,
United Kingdom 
We have a 7-8' privot hedge which has been shaded by other bushes and gaps have developed at the bottom. Approx 2 years ago we cut down the offending bushes but there has been no improvement. Can anyone advise how to stimulate growth from the base of the privot or advise what we could plant in the spaces to grow with the hedge. I have been wondering if Photinia would do the job whilst providing a contrast in the colours
1 May, 2012
Answers
Thankyou very much for your reply. We will give it some thought
5 May, 2012
2 options.
1. Privet hedges can be restored by cutting them back to 30cm or so and they will quickly regrow and fill the gaps.
2. Photonia tend to get too leggy and large. Red Berbis is a better choice as it is smaller and shade tolerant. Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea is the red coloured one and will provide the contrast of colour that you want and is also evergreen.
4 May, 2012