Trimming a hedge in autumn: when is the right time for a neat topiary?
Let's Find Out. Hedges offers much more than privacy protection. They are also important sources of food for insects and small animals, and popular nesting sites for birds. Therefore, it is forbidden by law to prune the hedge during the birds' breeding season. Such a radical pruning can only be done in the cold season - in late autumn and spring. And this main pruning is very important for most hedge plants. It promotes growth and prevents them from balding. However, not all plants need such pruning in autumn. There are also species that can get through the winter healthy with a topiary. We explain how to cut your hedge in autumn, when it is allowed and what you should be aware of.
Caring prunings are allowed from October to February. Removing the hedge is also permitted during this period. A topiary, on the other hand, can be done all year round. To be on the safe side, you should first check the hedge for birds and small animals. Basically, the rule of thumb applies: hardy plants can tolerate a shape cut in autumn. Conditionally hardy plants should better be cut in the spring. They need more time to recover and they could freeze to death.
It is also important to get the hedge in the right shape. Above all, the plants benefit from a pyramid shape. This ensures that all parts of the plant receive sufficient sunlight. Precise execution is desirable, but not necessary. Fortunately, most of the cutting errors can be corrected little by little. Choosing the right tool depends on two factors. Experienced hobby gardeners who have a long hedge often use special electric hedge trimmers. Protective clothing, gloves and goggles are an absolute must. You should also have some experience, because using an electric hedge trimmer is not easy. You must also take into account the permitted operating times. Basically, it is regulated in such a way that loud power tools are only allowed to be used in the garden on working days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. To be on the safe side, however, you should ask the local authorities.
Beginners and gardeners who have a small hedge are therefore better off using hand hedge trimmers. Gloves are also essential in this case. Hand hedge trimmers also have the decisive advantage that they are quiet. So you can work with it on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
In contrast to other flowering trees, the hibiscus is cut back in spring. In autumn, only a topiary is possible. However, only diseased, lignified and dried out parts of the plant should be cut off. Young shoots are best left standing. When the winter is very cold, the hibiscus will freeze back. The young shoots then form a protective layer. So the shrub can survive permafrost itself.
The Thuja hedge does not tolerate pruning. However, maintenance cuts are possible and desirable. Such a cut should be made no more than once a year. The best time is in spring, because then the sensitive plant has enough time to recover. Alternatively, there is also autumn. The month of October is particularly suitable for this. If you cut your Thuja hedge in November, you risk that it will not be able to recover before the first frost and will freeze to death.
A privet hedge is usually cut once at the beginning of summer and once at the end of summer. Only one shape cut is allowed during this period. The best thing to do is to find out from the local authorities how this shape cut can be made.
The bamboo hedge also needs a shape cut. This usually takes place in spring. However, if you missed the right time, you can also bring the hedge into the desired shape in autumn. In most cases, only sick or dried-up shoots are cut back at the ground level. The goal - to ensure that all parts of the plant receive sunlight through even exposure.
The cherry laurel hedge can be pruned once a year. Ideally, this should be done in early July to allow the plant to recover. However, since most birds nest at this time, no radical prunings are allowed. Most hobby gardeners therefore opt for a topiary in spring, around the end of winter. In autumn, only individual diseased shoots can be removed. But you really shouldn't prune back any more, otherwise the plants could freeze to death at the interfaces.
Cutting the hedge in autumn: when is it allowed?
Caring prunings are allowed from October to February. Removing the hedge is also permitted during this period. A topiary, on the other hand, can be done all year round. To be on the safe side, you should first check the hedge for birds and small animals. Basically, the rule of thumb applies: hardy plants can tolerate a shape cut in autumn. Conditionally hardy plants should better be cut in the spring. They need more time to recover and they could freeze to death.
It is also important to get the hedge in the right shape. Above all, the plants benefit from a pyramid shape. This ensures that all parts of the plant receive sufficient sunlight. Precise execution is desirable, but not necessary. Fortunately, most of the cutting errors can be corrected little by little. Choosing the right tool depends on two factors. Experienced hobby gardeners who have a long hedge often use special electric hedge trimmers. Protective clothing, gloves and goggles are an absolute must. You should also have some experience, because using an electric hedge trimmer is not easy. You must also take into account the permitted operating times. Basically, it is regulated in such a way that loud power tools are only allowed to be used in the garden on working days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. To be on the safe side, however, you should ask the local authorities.
Beginners and gardeners who have a small hedge are therefore better off using hand hedge trimmers. Gloves are also essential in this case. Hand hedge trimmers also have the decisive advantage that they are quiet. So you can work with it on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Trimming the hibiscus hedge: In autumn, only a topiary is possible
In contrast to other flowering trees, the hibiscus is cut back in spring. In autumn, only a topiary is possible. However, only diseased, lignified and dried out parts of the plant should be cut off. Young shoots are best left standing. When the winter is very cold, the hibiscus will freeze back. The young shoots then form a protective layer. So the shrub can survive permafrost itself.
Cutting Thuja hedge: A maintenance cut is possible in autumn
The Thuja hedge does not tolerate pruning. However, maintenance cuts are possible and desirable. Such a cut should be made no more than once a year. The best time is in spring, because then the sensitive plant has enough time to recover. Alternatively, there is also autumn. The month of October is particularly suitable for this. If you cut your Thuja hedge in November, you risk that it will not be able to recover before the first frost and will freeze to death.
Pruning privet hedge: November is not the right time for topiary pruning
A privet hedge is usually cut once at the beginning of summer and once at the end of summer. Only one shape cut is allowed during this period. The best thing to do is to find out from the local authorities how this shape cut can be made.
Cut the bamboo hedge in autumn: only remove individual shoots
The bamboo hedge also needs a shape cut. This usually takes place in spring. However, if you missed the right time, you can also bring the hedge into the desired shape in autumn. In most cases, only sick or dried-up shoots are cut back at the ground level. The goal - to ensure that all parts of the plant receive sunlight through even exposure.
Should you cut the cherry laurel hedge in autumn?
The cherry laurel hedge can be pruned once a year. Ideally, this should be done in early July to allow the plant to recover. However, since most birds nest at this time, no radical prunings are allowed. Most hobby gardeners therefore opt for a topiary in spring, around the end of winter. In autumn, only individual diseased shoots can be removed. But you really shouldn't prune back any more, otherwise the plants could freeze to death at the interfaces.
