Trimming Hedges

The most common mistake people make when trimming a hedge is cutting the plant into a sharply-edged box shape. It's important to trim a hedge so that the top is narrower than the bottom; this way, sunlight can reach all the plant's leaves. The bottom branches of "box-shaped" hedges usually thin out—and even die—from lack of sunlight.

UF/IFAS Publications

• Happy Hedges (PDF)

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Pruning Trees and Shrubs

Other Sites

• Hedge Trimming--PBS Victory Gardens
• Hedges--Purdue University (IN) Cooperative Extension Service (PDF)
• Pruning Hedges--Arizona Master Gardener Program
• Pruning Ornamental Shrubs--Iowa State University Extension (PDF)
• Pruning Shrubs--Clemson (SC) Extension