Articles on Hedges | Topics: hedges, hedge, bushes, bush
by Tonia Nelson
Fancy a Formal Hedge? Some Basic How-to Tips
Would you like to turn your unruly hedges into formal hedges? Are you tired of the natural look, and desire a uniform look? The following paragraphs will provide you with some insight and pruning tips for turning a row of unruly hedges into a row of neat, formal hedges.
Before attempting to turn an unruly row of hedges into a row of formal hedges, there is one very important thing to remember. To turn those unruly hedges into a nice row of formal hedges, it will likely take more than one season and many, many pruning sessions. You will not accomplish your goal in one pruning, and usually not even in one complete season. The branches of your natural hedges have become accustomed to growing a certain way, and it will take time to train them to grow differently.
Knowing the appropriate times to prune your bushes will definitely help with straightening out your hedge. Depending on the type of hedges you have, you should prune your hedges in late spring, after they are done flowering, or in late fall, right before they go dormant. On the other hand, with some evergreen hedges, it is best to prune them when they are dormant. Do some research about the particular kind of hedges you have before deciding when to prune them. Your local garden center should be able to provide you with the necessary information.
When you are trying to turn a row of unruly hedges into a row of formal hedges, the tools you use are important. Most professionals will recommend using long bladed hand shears for turning those wild hedges into formal hedges. Using long bladed hand shears will enable you to give your hedges a precise cut, and carefully thin and cut out the necessary branches. When shaping the hedge, start by taking off less than you believe necessary. Step back and take a look as you proceed. Remember, once cut, there is no putting it back. Yes, it will grow again, but do you really want to wait that long?
| Quote of the Day |
Through winter-time we call on spring,
And through the spring on summer call,
And when abounding hedges ring
Declare that winter’s best of all;
And after that there’s nothing good
Because the spring-time has not come....
| —William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) |
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The first step in turning an unruly row of hedges into a row of formal hedges is to thin out all the dead branches, as well prune out any crossed branches and branches that are unsuitable for any reason. Starting with the dead branches, remove them completely. Then move on to the crossed branches, cutting them completely off as well. Trim them right down to the ground. This is the beginning of giving your hedges a more formal look.
After thinning out your row of unruly hedges, you should move to the top. You may have an idea about how tall you ultimately want your row of hedges to be, but you should never take off more than six inches in the first pruning. Once the hedges are close to the ideal height, you should quit, and let them grow for a month or two. But it is not good to overdo the first cut.
Once the top is done, you should trim the sides of your unruly hedge line to create a flat plane. It is important to trim the hedges so they are slightly wider at the bottom than they are at the top. This is important because it will help encourage leaf production from top to bottom, rather than from bottom to top. When you prune your hedges a second time, you should remove the wild ends, but you should try to leave as much of the new growth as you can for a more formal look.
At some point you will reach your desired height and width of your formal hedges, but be patient. Following the right pruning procedures, knowing the right tools to use, and knowing the appropriate times to prune your hedges can all factor in to the success you will be in turning a row of unruly hedges into a row of formal hedges. Also, it is important to remember it will not happen in one pruning session, and sometimes can take more than one season. But being armed with the right knowledge, changing a row of unruly hedges into a row of formal hedges is very possible.
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