September is a great time to get your hedges and topiary back into shape. Birds have typically stopped nesting by then so you can be rest assured you won’t do them any harm. Find out the best way to trim your hedges and box topiary this September.
Trimming Hedges
Hedges need trimming from time to time to keep their shape and curb excessive growth.
Formal-style hedges, whether deciduous or evergreen, should be pruned twice a year. Whereas informal-style hedges normally only need pruning once a year.
If the hedge is a flowering one, it’s important to prune at the correct time of year. Failure to do so may result in little or no flowers the following year! A general rule of thumb is that the hedge should be pruned immediately after flowering if flowers appear before June. If flowers appear after June, then wait until this time of the year before pruning.
Conifer hedges should be trimmed earlier in summer as later pruning can create bare patches in the hedges.
For smaller hedges, hand shears are perfectly adequate. However, if it’s comprised of laurel, a different process is required. It’s much better to use secateurs and cut into the stems as cutting the leaf will leave unsightly brown marks.
It’s usually easier to use a powered hedge trimmer for larger hedges. But do make sure you wear safety goggles and thick gloves.
Formal hedges should be slightly tapered on both sides when being trimmed. The base should be wider than the top. This enables light to reach the bottom of the hedge as well as the top.
Trimming Box Topiary
September is a good month to give topiary box plants a final tidy-up before the onset of late autumn.
If left any later the plants may put on new growth which frosts could damage as the season progresses.
Young topiary can be shaped using either secateurs, topiary shears or scissors. Make sure whatever tool is used has sharp, clean blades. Trim to shape as soon as growth appears through the mesh wire being used to create the shape.
For more established topiary, cut back shoots on the current season’s growth which you can identify by the leaf colour.
New growth will be a lighter green colour than the older leaves.
Trim to just above the older leaves, avoiding cutting into the older, darker green leaves.
Trim lightly, a couple of times if needed, until you can see the shape clearly defined again. Trimming too much off the first time around could ruin the shape!
Use sharp secateurs to cut thicker stems and/or any parts of the plant that need careful shaping.
Learn about alternatives to Box hedges:
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David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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