AS hedges put on new growth they take on a woody appearance. The fresh new growth, while attractive, blurs the outline and gardeners are tempted to reach for the hedge trimmer. Fast growing hedges such as privet or lonicera can be trimmed now. Hedges of the ubiquitous and dreaded leyland cypress, beloved by some for its almost instant growth, should also be trimmed and kept in check.
While the privet or lonicera can be cut back hard if necessary, the leyland cypress will not respond to severe cutting into old wood. If your leylands get too big just take them down and start again - dry the wood for a year and it will burn most beautifully. This is the only fitting fate for a leyland screen which has been allowed outgrow its place.
Beech hedges can be cut in July as can virtually all others - escalinia, griselinia, berberis, tc. Box should be cut early rather than late - June or July is best. That way, it will produce new growth which will harden off before winter. Box cut late in the season is liable to frost damage with resultant bare patches in winter and spring.