When to Cut Common Hedge Types
Different species have different needs, so here’s a quick rundown of the most popular hedges you’ll find in gardens across Sussex and the wider UK.
Privet – One of the fastest growers. Trim two to three times a year between May and August. Little and often is the key with privet, otherwise it gets leggy and thin further down.
Leylandii – Needs two to three trims a year, typically in April, July and late August. Never cut back into the old brown wood, leylandii won’t regrow from bare branches, so staying on top of it is essential.
Beech – Only needs one or two trims a year. Do the main cut in August, which encourages it to hold onto its copper-coloured leaves through winter. Hard cut-backs should be done in midwinter while it’s dormant.
Hornbeam – Similar to beech. Trim once or twice a year with the main cut in late summer. A good choice if you have heavy clay soil or a damp garden.
Hawthorn – Trim once after flowering in late spring or early summer, and again in early autumn if you want a formal shape. Leave it wilder if you want the berries for birds.
Yew – Slow-growing and dense. Trim twice a year, in summer and early autumn. Unlike most evergreens, yew can handle a hard cut-back in winter if it’s got out of shape.
Holly – One cut a year in late summer. Can be pruned hard in spring if overgrown.
Laurel – Fast-growing and tough. Trim twice during the growing season. Worth using secateurs rather than a hedge trimmer to avoid shredding the large leaves.