WHEN DO YOU TRIM BOX HEDGING?

When do you trim box hedging? - http://i.dailymail.co.uk/

Formal trimmed box hedging - Buxus sempervirens, has been fashionable since the general European renaissance that began in Italy during the 14th century. Used to great effect in parterres, low and informal hedging, box plants are still as popular as they have ever been. However, in more recent times the increasing prevalence of Box blight has caused gardeners to search for suitable, alternative species. Be that as it may, existing and new box hedging still need to be managed if you intend to maintain a clipped effect, usually 2-3 times a year during the growing season.

Trimming box hedging - http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/

The best time conditions to trim box hedging is when the weather is cloudy as this reduce the chance of burning the newly exposed, softer leaves.

Newly planted, young box hedging plants will need to be cut back by up to one-third in their first May to encourage bushy, basal growth. The subsequent new growth can be further trimmed between between May and August, as required for the first two years after planting

Existing, mature hedges are a little different. While it can be very tempting to cut box hedging in mid to late spring as part of an overall garden tidy up, the resulting new flush of soft growth that appears can be vulnerable to damage from late frosts, drying winds and unseasonably hot sun. This will cause the new growth to scorch and the subsequent brown tissue will remain prominent until new growth hides it from view or it is removed by a harder trim. Even if left, the damage leaves will eventually fall off after a few weeks.

When do you trim box hedging?

It is better practice to trim box hedging later, during August and September when the new growth has a chance to properly harden off and should remain neat and tidy throughout the winter months.

Once again the timing is different for old and neglected box hedges. Unless they are considered ancient, then they will usually respond well to cutting back hard to within 15-30 cm of the ground. Make these cuts during the winter, to allow the plant to recover from the shock and be ready to sprout out early in the spring. Apply a mulch around the base of the hedge, but avoid having the mulch touching the stems.

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WHEN DO YOU TRIM BOX HEDGING?