Groundskeeper

Hedge Trimming: Shaping and Maintenance

May 10, 2025
Groundskeeper Team
5 min read
Hedge Trimming: Shaping and Maintenance

A well-maintained hedge provides a clean, formal look to your landscape, offering privacy and structure. Proper trimming, or shearing, is key to keeping a hedge dense, healthy, and uniformly shaped. The right technique not only looks better but also promotes the long-term health of the plants.

📅 When to Trim Your Hedges

The timing depends on the type of plant.

🌿
Non-Flowering Hedges: For hedges like boxwood, yew, and privet, trim them after the first flush of new growth in the spring. You can perform a lighter touch-up trim in mid-summer if needed.
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Flowering Hedges: For hedges that flower, such as forsythia or lilac, always trim them immediately after they finish blooming. Pruning earlier will cut off the flower buds.

📐 The Golden Rule of Shaping

This is the most important principle for a healthy hedge.

Always trim your hedge so that it is slightly wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. This classic "A" shape allows sunlight to reach the lower branches, preventing them from becoming bare and leggy. A hedge that is wider at the top will shade out its own base.

✂️ The Trimming Technique

Precision and a straight line are your goals.

1
Set Up a Guide: For a perfectly straight line, run a string line between two stakes at the desired height of the hedge. This gives you a visual guide to follow.
2
Trim the Top First: Using a long-bladed hedge trimmer, cut the top of the hedge, following your string line. Keep the blade parallel to the ground.
3
Trim the Sides: Start at the bottom and work your way up in a smooth, sweeping motion. Keep the blade angled slightly to achieve the tapered "A" shape.
4
Clean Up: Rake up and dispose of all the clippings from the top and base of the hedge.

Trimming large hedges can be a difficult and time-consuming job. For a perfectly sculpted, professional result, contact the groundskeeping team at The Box Advantage Group. We provide expert hedge trimming and shaping services.

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