Garden solutionsKeeping hedges looking trim

摘要

The tail end of summer is when parts of the garden can start to look unkempt, especially hedges that may have become shaggy with growth. The end of August/September is a good time to prune them: birds have safely fledged any nesting sites inside, andhard frosts that can 'nip' soft, post-cut new growth are still some way off.But the ideal time and method for cutting a hedge does depend on its type and its use. As well as being a boundary, you may be growing a hedge for its flowers, leaf form or other practical features such as security or to attract wildlife. It may be formal, where its crisp outline is an important feature in your winter garden, or it may be an informal backdrop to a loose collection of shrubs. Taking such factors into account will help you decide when and how to trim the hedge.