| All hedges need trimming at least once a year, | | | | In the third year, start shaping. Hedges are often |
| some more often. Regular, light pruning is better | | | | shaped with flat tops and vertical sides. This |
| for the hedge, and easier to carry out, than | | | | shape is occasionally unsuccessful. The best shape, |
| infrequent heavy pruning, there will also be less | | | | as far as the plant is concerned, is a natural form |
| material to dispose of. A well-maintained hedge | | | | - rounded or slightly pointed top with sides slanting |
| provides a good boundary to a garden, but if left | | | | to a wide base. After plants have been pruned |
| unchecked, a hedge can soon lose its shape and | | | | initially to induce low branching, the low branching |
| end up looking untidy or casting unwanted shade. | | | | will be maintained by trimming the top narrower |
| By keeping to a good pruning schedule you can | | | | than the bottom, so that sunlight can reach all of |
| keep hedges under control without too much | | | | the leaves on the plant. Rounded or peaked tops |
| effort. | | | | also aid shedding snow, which if left, may break |
| Why do I need to prune my hedge? | | | | branches. |
| If hedges are left untrimmed they will grow | | | | Note: Prune weakly growing shoots hard and |
| upwards and become relatively "leggy", thin at the | | | | strongly growing shoots lightly. Don't be tempted |
| bottom and thicker towards the top. Care must | | | | to "even up" the hedge, the result will often be |
| be taken in the first few years to prune the | | | | the opposite. |
| plants so that they develop into a thick and | | | | Pruning Conifer plants to form a hedge |
| effective hedge. | | | | Mechanical trimmers are good for cutting conifer |
| Many hedging plants will form very tall trees or | | | | hedges |
| shrubs if they are not regularly pruned. In general | | | | Conifers need special formative pruning during |
| they will respond to the trimming of their vertical | | | | their early years as hedging plants. Unlike other |
| growth by producing side shoots. Sometimes it is | | | | species, they are not shortened after planting, |
| necessary to trim verticals in order to promote | | | | although long sideshoots can be lightly trimmed. |
| bushy sideways growth even though vertical | | | | The leading shoot is allowed to grow unchecked, |
| height is also required. It is all part of the process | | | | tied to a supporting cane if necessary, until it |
| of establishing a well formed and effective hedge. | | | | reaches the final hedge height when it is stopped |
| Most hedges should be trimmed to the desired | | | | during routine summer pruning. Sideshoots should |
| shape before the hedge grows to the desired | | | | be trimmed once or twice annually from the |
| height. Never allow the plants to grow untrimmed | | | | second summer onwards. This will ensure dense, |
| to the final height before shearing; by that time it | | | | close-textured sides in the young hedge. |
| will be too late to get maximum branching at the | | | | When to Prune |
| base. After the hedge has reached the dimensions | | | | The frequency that you will need to trim your |
| desired, trim closely in order to keep it within | | | | hedge will depend on the type of hedge you have |
| bounds. | | | | and the type of finish that you require. |
| Pruning a formal hedge | | | | Fast-growing species, such as privet and some |
| Start by pruning the top flat. If the hedge is not | | | | conifers, Leyland and Lawson's cypress, for |
| too long, you should be able to cut by eye, | | | | example, may need trimming two or three times |
| stepping back occasionally to check your progress. | | | | in the spring/summer to maintain a dense, formal |
| If you don't trust your eye, hammer two stakes | | | | effect. |
| into the ground and stretch a length of string | | | | Most conifers can be pruned in spring/summer. |
| between them to use as a cutting guide. Next, | | | | This is also suitable for slow-growing evergreens |
| cut the sides, making the top narrower than the | | | | such as holly and yew. More vigorous evergreens, |
| base. Brush off trimmings from the top of hedge | | | | such as box, benefit from a trim in late spring. |
| and from the base of the hedge to prevent the | | | | Deciduous species are usually pruned twice |
| spread of fungal diseases. | | | | annually, first in winter while dormant and again in |
| Low growing formal hedges used for parterres, | | | | mid-summer. |
| knot gardens or as borders around vegetable | | | | Click here to see our 'Choosing a suitable hedge' |
| beds can be kept neat by trimming twice a year. | | | | table which will provide you with information |
| Cut box hedging in spring and then in mid-summer. | | | | regarding how often and when to prune certain |
| Use string stretched between two stakes to | | | | varieties of hedging plants. |
| ensure the top is flat and then cut the sides | | | | Tools for trimming hedges |
| vertically. | | | | The use of hand shears or a mechanical trimmer |
| Pruning an informal hedge | | | | for hedge pruning is a personal choice. The latter |
| Although flowering, native and informal hedges are | | | | can be less tiring for large or frequently trimmed |
| allowed to grow naturally so that their shape isn't | | | | hedges and may leave a smoother finish, |
| spoilt, that does not mean they never have to be | | | | especially on conifers. If you use an electric |
| pruned. If neglected they could soon grow too tall | | | | trimmer, make sure it is plugged into a safety |
| or spread out of control. To keep them in good | | | | socket fitted with a residual current device or |
| shape, occasionally remove old stems with | | | | circuit breaker, so that the engine will cut out if |
| secateurs. | | | | there's an accident. When trimming keep the cable |
| Pruning deciduous hedging plants | | | | away from the blade, ideally draped over one |
| The establishment of a deciduous hedge begins | | | | shoulder rather than trailing on the ground. |
| by choosing young plants 1 to 2 feet high. When | | | | Hedge aftercare |
| planting, cut the plants back by a third of their | | | | Once your hedge is trimmed to the desired |
| height including the strong side shoots. This will | | | | shape, water and mulch the plants to keep them |
| induce low branching. Before bud-break in the next | | | | in good condition. Occasionally a hedge plant can |
| season, prune half of the new growth. In the | | | | die or become damaged through disease - if it's |
| following year, again trim off half the new growth | | | | not possible to save the plant, wait until autumn |
| to encourage branching. | | | | and replace it. |