Trim a hedge when growth is active but before it flops, usually in late spring and again lightly in summer. Keep the sides slightly wider at the base than the top, so sunlight reaches the lower branches. Clear the clippings right away so brick and beds stay clean.
Hedges planted against brick are easy to get wrong, since the wall shows every uneven edge. Here is a simple way to time the work and shape it, whether you live in Westminster, Eldersburg or elsewhere in Carroll County. If you want help, see our landscaping services.
When is a good time to trim a hedge?
The best time is after the first flush of spring growth has slowed down. At that point the hedge has leafed out, and a trim shows right away without stressing the plant.
Most hedges in Maryland do well with one main trim in late spring or early summer. A lighter touch-up in mid to late summer keeps the shape tight. Avoid heavy cuts late in the season. New growth that sprouts in fall can get nipped by the first hard frost.
Wait for dry weather too. Wet leaves are slippery, trimmers clog and cut edges stay damp longer, which is not good for the plant.
How do you keep a hedge shape even against brick?
Keep the hedge a little wider at the bottom than the top, and leave a gap between the leaves and the wall. This keeps the shape natural, lets air move and keeps brick from staying damp.
Here is a simple order of work.
- Look at the whole hedge first. Step back and decide on the height and line before you cut anything.
- Set a guide. Tie a string between two stakes at the top height. It gives you a level line to follow.
- Trim the top first. Cut along the string, taking off only the new growth.
- Trim the sides next. Angle the cut so the base stays slightly wider than the top.
- Pull back from the brick. Cut stems that touch the wall, since leaves that rub brick hold moisture and leave stains.
- Step back and check. Fix high spots a little at a time. It is easy to take more off and hard to put it back.
Use sharp blades. Dull blades tear stems and leave brown, ragged edges. Cut back only part of the new growth rather than shearing into bare wood, since many hedges do not regrow well from old, leafless branches.
Which shrubs should wait until after they bloom?
Shrubs that bloom on last year's wood should be trimmed right after they flower. Cutting them in winter or early spring can remove the buds, and you lose the bloom for that year.
Many flowering shrubs fall in this group, such as lilac and forsythia. If a shrub puts on flowers in spring, wait until the blooms fade, then shape it.
Shrubs that bloom on new growth, and plain evergreen hedges, are more flexible. If you are not sure what you have, check when it flowers last year and trim just after that. When in doubt, wait.
A formal hedge cut into tight lines needs more frequent trims. A loose, natural hedge needs fewer. Pick the style that fits your time and the look of the house.
What should happen to the clippings?
The clippings should leave with the crew, or go into the yard waste right away. Left on the ground, they pile up against brick and mulch, trap moisture and make beds look messy.
Green Diamond's cleanup crew shapes shrubs and hedges clean and hauls the clippings away, with clippings gone before the crew leaves. That means no piles in the beds, no leaves on the walkway and no bits caught behind the foundation plants. You can see how that works on our Westminster landscaping page.
If you do it yourself, lay a tarp along the base of the hedge before you cut. Clippings fall onto it, and you can gather them in one pass.
When is it worth handing the trim to a crew?
Hand it off when the hedge is tall, thick or tied up with a lot of other yard work. Ladders and power trimmers add risk, and a crooked line shows on brick.
Green Diamond Landscaping LLC is a family-owned company based in Reisterstown, MD. We serve homes within about 25 miles of Reisterstown, across Baltimore County and Carroll County. We walk the property with you before anything is scheduled, so you know what will be trimmed and what will be left alone.
Same-day response to requests is part of how we work. Ask us about yard cleanups if the beds also need attention.
Want your hedges shaped and the clippings gone? Call Green Diamond Landscaping LLC at (410) 847-9393 for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trim a hedge in winter?
Light shaping on a dormant hedge is possible, but heavy cuts are better left alone. Spring-blooming shrubs trimmed in winter may lose their buds, so check what you have before you cut.
How much can I cut off at once?
Take off new growth and a bit more, not deep into bare wood. Many hedges do not sprout well from old branches without leaves. Trim a little each season to keep the shape.
Why does my hedge look thin at the bottom?
Usually the top shades the base. Keep the sides sloped so the bottom is a little wider than the top. That lets sunlight reach lower branches and keeps the hedge full.
Is it okay to let hedge leaves touch my brick wall?
It is better to keep a small gap. Leaves and stems against brick hold moisture, cause stains and make it harder for the wall to dry out after rain.