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How to trim back overgrown hedge

frijolitasfrijolitas Posts: 18
in Problem solving
We inherited an overgrown hedge which borders the tiny front bit in front our living room window. We would prefer to keep it as we are street facing so it does provide privacy. However, we'd like to trim both height and depth to allow in more light and give us back some storage space. Problem is that the hedge has been allowed to grow and if we trim it, it will look very woody and ugly. Any advice on how best to trim it without leaving something that resembles more sticks than leaves? Leaving it to continue growing isn't an option nor do we want to fully remove. Thanks! 

Posts

  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    A photo would be helpful to identify which species are in the hedge. If it's a conifer hedge you are right to be worried that cutting it back could just leave you with bare branches. Some of all of the plants may be deciduous and able to take heavy pruning to rejuvenate them.

    However, nesting season is well underway and an overgrown hedge is a perfect site for nests. If you could wait until later in the year (July) before you tackle the hedge there is less chance of disturbing them.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yes, we need to identify the type of hedge it is. Some types of conifer will remain forever brown if you cut them hard back whereas other types of hedge will regrow fresh green leaves.  We need to know which you have before we can work out your options. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • frijolitasfrijolitas Posts: 18
    Hi, I've tried to identify it unsuccessfully. Hopefully, these pictures will help? It's an evergreen and blooms little white flowers in spring. We tried trimming it last year and it ended up looking quite scraggly and woody so trying to avoid repeating the mistake this year. Thanks in advance for the advice!  
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I'm wondering if it's a variety of Escallonia? 
  • RaboonRaboon Posts: 15
    Choisya. Give it a good hacking back after flowering. It'll bounce back happily.
  • frijolitasfrijolitas Posts: 18
    Yes, it's a choiysa. I Googled an image and this is exactly our hedge! Thanks for the tip. We will wait then until it has flowered. Should we wait until the flowers have dropped off? So definitely not now then?
  • delskidelski Posts: 274
    You can definitely do it now, but people say not to do it until after flowering so that you can enjoy the flowers first.
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I would accept the loss of flowers this year.  The sooner you cut it back the faster it will regrow as the weather gets warmer.
  • delskidelski Posts: 274
    I agree with KT53. My experience of choisya is that the flowers aren't that spectacular anyway so you're not missing out on anything.
  • frijolitasfrijolitas Posts: 18
    Thanks for the advice. Will do this!
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