Hedge care tips and tricks
Clipping and trimming
In a nutshell, as long as you clip out the new shoot tips, the stems below will branch out, thus making the hedge thicker. Clipping allows you to shape a hedging or topiary plants.
Not all hedges have to be uniform and precise in outline. There are a number of hedging types that can be used for creating more relaxed and informal hedges, sometimes with a display of flowers as a bonus. These need a different clipping system, but success relies on choosing the best approach and the right time of year.
The key skill is on deciding when to do it, to minimise the amount you have to do!
Leafy formal hedges
Topiary and leafy, formal hedges such as beech or conifers will need clipping twice a year (around June and again in late August) if you want them looking perfect all year round. Although, you can get away with just the late August cut if you don’t mind your hedges looking a bit ‘woody on the ends’ during the summertime.
Trim fast-growing formal hedges, for example privet, about every six weeks from May to September, so they don’t get away from you.
Clip mini hedges of dwarf box used to outline borders and knot gardens in May time.
Fertilisers and Irrigation
To get the best result from your hedging we recommend that you a slow release fertiliser and compost top soil, to keep your hedging looking in the best contrition soon as it is planted. This can also be help by setting up an irrigation system to make maintenance of the hedging a simple and low as possible, so you can just enjoy your new instant hedge!
Tools for clipping and trimming
Hedge shears and hedge-trimmers (petrol or electric) for hedges and big topiary plants. Single-handed sheep shears or topiary shears for precisely clipping topiary and edging.
Secateurs for large leaved hedges, such as laurel, whose leaves would be left ragged by shears or hedge trimmers. We supply a range a maintenance tools to keep your hedging in perfect form.
In-depth links to find the right solution for clipping & trimming hedges
Managing Hedge Growth
Priorities of Clipping and Trimming Hedges
Winter Damage
Disposing of Cuttings
Primitive Trimming and Clipping
Forming and Shaping Hedges
General Clipping and Trimming Tips
Controlling Over-Grown Hedges
Looking After Conifer Hedges
Clipping and Trimming Dwarf Hedges
Managing Hedge Growth
The timing and frequency of clipping depends on the plant species used, as well as the type of finish you require. Fast-growing species, such as privet and some conifers and Leylandi, for example, may need trimming more during the year to maintain a dense, formal effect.
Most conifers can be clipped just before mid-summer. This is also suitable for slow-growing evergreens such as holly and yew. More vigorous evergreens, such as box or Laurel, benefit from a trim in late spring. Deciduous species are usually pruned twice annually, first in winter while dormant and again in mid-summer time.
Priorities of Clipping and Trimming Hedges
The use of hand shears or a petrol or electric trimmer for hedge clipping more of a personal choice. The latter can be less tiring for large or frequently trimmed hedges and may leave a smoother finish, especially on conifers.
!REMEMBER! If you use a mains powered electric trimmer, check that you are protected by safety features such as a fast brake on the blade and a circuit breaker or residual current device. Keep the mains cable away from the blade, ideally draped over one shoulder rather than trailing on the ground.
Winter Damage
A heavy fall of snow lying on top of a hedge can cause serious damage, mainly to evergreen or conifer hedges as well as those with broad flat tops. It’s always good to make sure the snow is brushed off as soon as possible to reduce the un-necessary weight.
Disposing of Clippings
Woody clippings can attract fungal diseases such as coral spot if they are left to decay where they fall. It is always recommended best to clear them up when you finish hedge trimming and, if possible.
Primitive Clipping and Trimming
You must remember that it is important to start clipping some hedging species at an early stage to prevent bare leggy growth which will not thicken out your hedge. Straight after planting, cut evergreens, such as box and Yew, back by around one third and Semi-evergreen and deciduous plants, such as privet and beech, to 15cm to 30cm (6in to 12in) on very young plants.
Trim their sides during the first summer to encourage dense growth this will help stimulate growth and get you a better look when new growth appears. This will thicken the hedge out well and you will benefit from it when the hedge matures.
Forming and Shaping Hedges
For example if your hedge is to have a level top, clip this first. Then use a length of string stretched tautly between two stakes as a guide for accuracy. On wide hedges, trim half the width from one side and repeat from the other. Brush off the clippings to stop it building up fungi on the hedge.
To get an accurate face, tie a string between the top guideline and another at the base of the hedge. Alternatively, cut a wooden template to match the intended shape. Vertical sides suit low hedges, but they also shade out low growth in taller hedges, so the sides of these should slope outwards at 15° to 25° from the vertical.
General Clipping and Trimming Tips
While shaping or clipping formal hedges, use a guideline to create an accurate shape. Cuts later in the same season can often be done using your eye, by clipping back to the base of the new growth. When clipping your tall hedges, make sure your stepladder or platform is stable.
Controlling Overgrown Hedges
Even the very best-kept hedges sometimes need reducing in size. Few conifers tolerate hard clipping back, but plants such as box, yew, privet and beech respond well to renovation. Although, you must make sure this is done in stages and in the right season.
Evergreen hedges are best hard clipped back in spring and deciduous kinds during winter while they are dormant. Cut one side 5cm to 7cm (2in to 3in) inside the required width, then trim the top and the remaining side as normal. Feed well and water the hedge well during this. The following season, clip the other side in the same way and then lower the top, if you want to, the following year.
Looking After Conifer Hedges
Most conifers need special shaping clipping during their first few years as hedging plants. Unlike others, they are not shortened after planting, however long side-shoots can be gently trimmed. The leading shoot is allowed to grow unchecked, until it reaches the final hedge height when it is stopped during routine summer clipping. Side-shoots should be clipped once or maybe twice a year from the second summer onwards. This will ensure dense sides in the young hedging.
Clipping and Trimming Dwarf hedges
Dwarf box, Buxus sempervirens (Box hedging) is a traditional low hedging plant for parterres, knot gardens or vegetable beds. They depend, for the best impact, on their classic simplicity and neatness, and require strict and regular clipping. Use a guide to establish a clean outline and vertical sides. Trim twice a year, first in spring and again in mid-summer time.
