How To Trim Hedges

Shrubs, when planted in a row, resemble a wall or solid mass, which is given the name of 'hedges'. Hedges extend an artistic excellence to any place, making it look wonderful and magnificent. Planting hedges is an easy task, but requires constant attention and care. Trimming hedges is one such activity you need to indulge in, if you want to flaunt a beautiful and gorgeous looking landscape, right outside your house. Trimmed hedges reflect the good health of the plants and also add that extra zing to your outdoor space. If you are wondering how to go about trimming the hedges, do not worry, as we have provided some useful tips in the following lines, just for you.

Trimming Hedges

Materials Required

Garden Stakes
Hedge Shears
String

Instructions

Starting early holds the key to having well-trimmed hedges. Make sure that you start trimming, just when the hedges are first planted. It is believed that the younger the plant, the better it responds to shaping and training.
Make sure you trim the top edges of the plant, right after its plantation. This would help you gain bushy and thick hedges.
To level the hedges, place a bamboo stake at both ends of the hedgerow. Now, attach a string in between the two stakes, so as to level the hedgerow and gain the desired height. With the help of hedge trimmers, trim the hedges, by following the string line.
Make sure you shape the hedges in such a way that it is wider at the base. This type of pruning allows sunlight to reach the bottom or the base of the hedges. The best way to achieve this would be to gradually taper the plants, as you go up.
The ideal time to trim the hedges would be during the active growing season. This is because in case you make an error, since the plants are in their growing stage; their growth would automatically rectify it.
Do not forget to trim the hedges just before the end of their growing season. This would keep the hedges looking attractive and appealing all through the winter months.

Trimming Time For Different Hedges

Hedge Trimming	Time of the Year
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)	Late summer
Beech (Fagus sylvatica)	Midsummer to late summer
Barberry (Berberis x stenophylla)	Late spring to early summer
(Berberis thunbergii ' Atropurpurea Nana')	Late summer
Box (Buxus sempervirens)	Early summer
Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera)	Midsummer
Shrubby honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)	Midspring to early fall
Contoneaster lucidus	Midsummer
Escallonia x langleyensis	Early summer
Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)	Early summer
Forsythia x intermedia	Immediately after flowering and late summer
Hawthorn (Carpinus betulus)	Midsummer to late summer
Holly (llex species)	Midsummer
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)	Midsummer to late summer
Hydrangea macrophylla	Late spring
Laurel ( Prunus laurocerasus)	Midsummer to late summer
Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus)	After flowering
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)	Early fall
Lavender cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus)	Spring
Lawson cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)	Early summer
Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis laylandii)	Early summer
Mock orange (Philadelphus hybrids)	Immediately after flowering
Portugal laurel (Prunus lusitanica)	Early summer to midsummer
Potentilla fruticosa 'Kathrine Dykes'	After flowering
Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)	Late spring to early summer, and midsummer to late summer
Rose (Rosa rugosa varieties)	Early spring or fall
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)	Midsummer to late summer
Sand cherry (Prunus x cistena)	Midsummer to late summer
Spiraea x vanhouttei	Immediately after flowering
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)	Early summer to midsummer
Yew (Taxus x media)	Early summer to midsummer

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