The proof is in the pruning

Pruning stimulates dense growth and reduces the plants natural tendency to grow as rapidly as possible, which would lead to a thin, sparse hedge. 

When to prune? How to prune? How often to prune? Am I cutting too much? Am I cutting too little? What are the best tools to use? …These are just some of the questions our friends at Hedges Direct get asked, so we thought we’d team up and explore the complicated world of hedging pruning.

Find out more about pruning below from our friends at Hedges Direct, who supply garden products to the Small Space Gardens and Beautiful Borders at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair.

Written by Hedges Direct

Deciduous hedging

Deciduous hedging is pruned in the summer to stop plants becoming unruly. This is considered maintenance pruning. In winter, deciduous shrubs, which shed their leaves, can be reshaped by cutting back hard. Most deciduous woody plants, including beech and hornbeam put on two flushes of growth in a year, one main flush during spring, and a second, smaller spurt, during late summer. Ideally, they should be trimmed back after each flush to keep them tidy.

Beech and Hornbeam (carpinus betulus) hedging is best trimmed in August or September, as this will enhance the winter appearance and help to keep leaves on the branches for longer. Cut both hedges again in February if you want to keep them crisp. Tackle any major pruning as the plants go dormant and don’t prune in very dry weather.

Deciduous flowering hedging plants such as Rosa Rugosa are pruned in spring, when you simply thin out any leggy growth. Hedges such as Hawthorn and Hazel can be trimmed between June and September.

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Evergreen Hedging

Evergreen plants like box and privet are often grown as hedging plants for their ability to cope with close trimming to create a dense stable mass of woody stems covered in foliage.

Most evergreen hedging plants are vigorous shrubs and trees, which can be pruned at least twice a year, though more frequent cutting will create a denser hedge. By trimming in late spring and early summer, the young soft growth is targeted, which us easy to cut using shears or a powered hedgetrimmer. You could also cut later in summer, though this will result in a looser hedge which needs a more time-consuming cut with secateurs.

Our friends at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine have some further tips on how to trim an Evergreen hedge here.

Tools of the trade

Most people say it’s best to use secateurs or hand shears, so you don’t tear into the leaf, making it turn brown. Whichever tool you choose, prune back the new long shoots at an angle to two or three leaves from its base.

Take a look at some of Hedges Direct’s garden shears here, from their Five Acres garden tools.

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Finesse your technique

When you start pruning a large hedge, trim from the bottom to the top. This is very important, as it allows more sunlight to reach the bottom of the plants.

You’re aiming eventually to have cut the hedge into an A shape; the slope you create is known as a ‘batter’. If you just cut upwards in a straight line, the top of the hedge, which always gets more sunlight anyway, will shade the base and you’ll have a plant that’s weaker at the bottom.

If you’re cutting a formal hedge it’s worth putting up a line string to keep it level. Set the line of string by eye or by measuring from ground level on each cane, ensuring that the string is the same height all the way along. If there are any dips in the hedge that fall below the line, leave them uncut so that they can fill out.

To minimise damage to individual leaves, hedging plants with large leaves, such as Hornbeam, are best cut with secateurs rather than shears or a hedge trimmer. The extra time and effort is worth it, if the hedge is in a very visible position. When using a hedge trimmer or shears you end up with a lot of cut leaves and these can turn brown and unsightly in hot weather.

If you have any advice you’d like to ask our friends at Hedges Direct, make sure to find out more on their website here. You can also contact them with your questions or share your own hedge blog by email, on Facebook or on Twitter.

With thanks to:

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New year, new garden, new trends!

We’re through the garden gate into 2023, with a host of gardening trends blooming throughout the country. From house plants reaching dizzying heights of popularity, to the colour of the year ‘Viva Magenta’, read on for our full list of trends.

To get up close and personal with fresh garden inspiration, new plants, the latest gardening kit and more, join us in 2023.

Colour of the Year 2023

Hand-picked by Pantone, the colour of the year has been named as ‘Viva Magenta. 

Pantone describe the colour as ‘brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.’

Discover a world of colour and scent in the stunning Floral Marquee,  bursting with award-winning nurseries and display.

Sustainable gardening

Whilst your garden might seem to already be very green, it can always be greener!

Discover ways you can make gardening more sustainable, like upcycling common items to make stylish features. What was a pallet, hessian bags, bits of pipe, and tin cans, could become a planter, grow bags, water features, and wildlife habitats.

Be inspired by the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editorial team as they’re joined by experts to give tips and advice.

Grow your own food

Looking to go from soil to supper this year? Get brilliant advice from the National Allotment Society at the event.

Peat-free gardening

Learn about the latest peat-free compost from exhibitors who can offer face-to-face advice.

Indoor gardening

Foliage doesn’t just belong outside – bring nature indoors and be inspired by the Houseplant Hub.

Mindful gardening

Beautiful Borders returns with this year’s theme ‘My Garden Escape’ to give you space savvy ideas.

Gardening on a budget

Discover different ways you can let your garden bloom under a tighter budget, with advice from expert gardeners.

Fermented foods

Visit the BBC Good Food Summer Show (with free entry with your ticket!) and discover the latest foodie trends.

Feeling inspired? Find out what else is happening at BBC Gardeners’ World Live this June!