Re: scent, boxwood, privet, Brussels sprouts

In a message dated 8/20/02 1:50:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time, mtalt@hort.net 
writes:

<< I don't have anything against Privet except the smell of its flowers.
 I have that gold leaf variety...has a name, I know, but can't recall.
  If I keep it pruned back (which you have to several times a season
 if you want a compact plant) then I generally am able to avoid the
 flowers. >>

I have a small book on growing Privet.  There are dozens of species and 
people that actually collect them in the UK.  These better Privets must be 
tender so never have arrived here.  I have never known anyone who loves 
Privet but the author of this book does.  You will also find the same 
statement in Christopher Lloyd books regarding his fondness for Privet.  
There must be something we have not seen in this genus to appeal to good 
gardeners.  Some species not in the US.

Privet, to me,  is the street hedge seen all over northern cities.  If 
someone would be especially unpleasant he used barberry but generally it is 
privet.  Privet which can be cut down and regrown endlessly can actually 
become a small tree for a garden that needs a tree of small proportions.  
When the hedge is no longer maintained, these trees appear.  You can also 
root privet as easily as willow so it was passed around a lot.  Aso it grows 
fast, you get a pretty good hedge in a short time.  People will not maintain 
hedges these days so most of the Privet gets pulled out. Stockade fences are 
more popular.

On fences: An article in a nursery magazine I read recently states that many 
towns and cities now outlaw electric fences so if you are planning one, you 
probably need to find if it is legal.  The electric fence has gained in 
popularity as the deer increase.  It is quite easy, now,  to buy all the 
parts in local hardware stores in my area.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

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