ater appropriately. Anything I can do to rejuvenate my hedge. Live in midwest.
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I am unable to see the damage. From your description, it could be an infection.
These are pretty drought tolerant, so overwatering will be a concern. Many times, they will not need any supplemental water, unless there has been a drought.
I would recommend a fungicide, in case this is an infection, and to make sure that the soil is, very thoroughly, dried down to about 3 or 4 inches or so before thinking about watering them.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/ligustrum/growing-ligustrum-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
to destroy the fungus but they don’t want the hedge removed. What can I do as it is a shared boundary? Hedge is about 9’ high by 20’ long and about 6’ is dead or dying. A professional garden company has diagnosed the problem.
I wish I had better news but, unfortunately, you may not have a choice but to remove the hedge. Here's some info about honey fungus:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/honey-fungus-information.htm
Are Golden Privet and Sunshine Ligustrum the same?
No. Golden privet is a special, sterile, hybrid. Sunshine Ligustrum is a cultivar of Ligustrum sinense. Their care is similar, with Sunshine being more sensitive to salty conditions.
Here is an article that will help you to know some of the main differences:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/ligustrum/growing-ligustrum-shrubs.htm
These green buds don't sprout they are just a product of the dead flowers. I've been told the foliage will grow faster if I clip the twigs they are on. off.
Privet shrubs will normally bounce back from a heavy pruning. After a shrub is finished flowering for the 2021 season, it soon starts to form new flower buds for next year’s 2022 flowers. So pruning for shape and size must be done immediately after 2021 flowering ceases to avoid removing these new 2022 flower buds. In addition, lightly pruning a few times throughout the summer will encourage denser, bushier growth with more branching.
I am in Bay Area of CA & received two early rains. Did not turn irrigation off. Maybe too much water? It has completely wilted, but no yellowing.
It looks waterlogged and the soil is saturated. It should perk up when the soil dries out. I suggest turning off the sprinklers till the soil dries.
This was growing into 3-4 ft high now.
It does look like Japanese privet. You are in zone 8 but these articles mention invasive plants such as Japanese privet, also called glossy privet.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-7/invasive-plants-zone-7.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/invasive-plants-zones-9-11.htm
I have found evidence of caterpillars/worms in the destroyed parts of my hedge, can they be eradicated and the hedge saved for future seasons?
Caterpillar damage doesn't usually kill a tree or shrub, but it can leave a shrub unsightly. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/prevent-caterpillars.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/ligustrum/pruning-privet-hedges.htm