Pruning Formal Hedges

By Cynthia Haynes, Department of Horticulture

There is something special about a healthy, well maintained hedge. A symmetrical wall of green creates visual and physical limits in the landscape and provides a softer effect than wood or plastic materials. Hedges are an effective backdrop for flower beds and borders or may stand on their own in a diversity of shapes and sizes. Shrub plantings can be allowed to grow into a natural, informal hedge or they may be pruned (sheared) into a formal hedge.

Shrubs suitable for small hedges (less than 5 feet in height) include:

  • barberry (Berberis)
  • boxwood (Buxus)
  • inkberry (Ilex)
  • alpine currant (Ribes)

These shrubs can be utilized as tall hedges (those greater than 5 feet in height)

  • while Privet (Ligustrum)
  • lilac (Syringa)
  • yew (Taxus)
  • arborvitae (Thuja) . 

Maintaining a formal hedge

Formal hedges are beautiful when well kept, but if they are not properly maintained they may become overgrown, poorly-shaped eyesores. Maintaining a formal hedge is time-consuming and requires proper pruning techniques. First, pruning must be done regularly to maintain the desired shape. Second, it is important to shape a formal hedge so that it is narrower at the top than at the bottom. A pyramidal shape allows the lower branches and leaves to receive the sunlight that is required to produce a dense, full hedge from top to bottom. Finally, it is important to know the natural growth habit and height of the shrub species. For example, trying to keep a typical privet hedge lower than 3 feet may be frustrating. The plant grows so quickly that it will require frequent pruning to maintain the desired height.

When to prune

Proper timing is important when pruning hedges. Extensive pruning of most deciduous hedges is best done late in the dormant season (late February and March in Iowa). However, pruning a spring-flowering hedge, such as lilac, during the dormant season will remove many of its flowers. It’s usually best to prune spring-flowering shrubs immediately after blooming. Early spring (April) is usually the proper time to begin pruning evergreen hedges. Regardless of when pruning begins, most deciduous and evergreen hedges will need to be pruned 2 to 4 times (possibly more) during the growing season to keep them well-shaped and attractive. 

Lilac and dogwood hedges (left, right, respectively) will not require as much pruning as a pine hedge (center).

Lilac and dogwood hedges (left, right, respectively) will not require as much pruning as a pine hedge (center).

Different pruning styles and species can be mixed to create a variety of hedges

Different pruning styles and species can be mixed to create a variety of hedges

Issue: 
March 17, 2010
Category: 
Garden Management, Maintenance, & Design
Tags: 
hedge
pruning
Authors: 

Cindy Haynes

Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on March 17, 2010. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.