Shaping up
2025-10-15T09:58:19+11:00
Pruning hedges creates a neat and tidy appearance, encourages new growth and plays an important role in keeping plants healthy. We chat with Sydney landscaper Jackson Carey about how to keep hedges healthy and well-shaped.
Q. What are the main benefits of pruning hedges?
Pruning promotes dense growth, maintains shape, and improves airflow and light penetration – creating long-lasting, attractive and functional screening.
Q. How old should the plant be when I start pruning?
Popular hedging plants such as common box (Buxus sempervirens), coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) and others should be pruned in the first year – after they’ve established and are putting on new growth. Regular tip-pruning (2–5cm) encourages side shoots and helps fill out the hedge. In the second and third years, start shaping the sides to the desired line, keeping the base slightly wider than the top so light reaches the bottom. Let the plants grow close to your desired height before removing the central leader, which is then pruned lightly to trigger side growth and create a flat, dense top.
Q. How often should I prune my hedge to keep its shape without causing stress?
This depends on the plant species you’re using and the look you’re trying to achieve. As a guide, when growing a relatively small, neat hedge (correa, escallonia or Photinia ‘Red Robin’, for example), prune roughly every 4–6 weeks through the growing season and every 6–8 weeks in the cooler months. For larger trees such as weeping lilly pilly (Syzygium floribundum), sweet viburnum and Ficus hillii ‘Flash’, once a year could be sufficient.
Get your copy of the November issue of ABC Gardening Australia magazine to see the full Q&A with Jackson Carey.
