How to Trim Hedges in the Heat

Hedges are trimmed to shape, produce more blooms and to encourage fuller growth. The ideal time to trim hedges varies among bushes. In general, spring-blooming hedges are pruned after they flower in the late spring or early summer. Summer blooming hedges and hedges that do not bloom are pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. If you missed these windows or if some branches just need to go, the hedges can be trimmed in the heat. Next year, however, try do the trimming during the ideal time for your particular hedge.

Time To Trim Or Cut Hedges

Pruning your landscape hedges at the right time ensures they develop their optimum form and keeps them from becoming too large or overgrown for the space. If it flowers on new wood it produces in the spring, you can usually trim the hedge after flowering or in late winter before new growth begins. Generally, these hedges are best trimmed right before they break dormancy in late winter or early spring. Evergreen hedges, such as boxwood (Buxus spp. ), Regular light summer pruning is also necessary to prevent overgrown branches or to control rapid summer growth. Formal hedges, with neatly clipped and shaped sides, require more frequent pruning through summer, while informal hedges left in their natural shape require only light pruning to remove dead wood and to maintain their height and width. Most deciduous nonflowering hedges are grown as informal hedges so they require only maintenance pruning in early spring just before the new leaf buds begin to break. hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, require only removal of dead wood and light heading back to the height and width of the shrub.