A hedge offers much more than privacy, but rather frames the garden charmingly and forms the perfect background for creative designs with flowers, perennials and grasses. And when it is well cared for, it is a real eye-catcher. And care also includes cutting. But what is allowed in summer, what is forbidden and how to trim the hedges – you will find out in the article.
Densely grown hedge plants protect privacy and decorate the garden with their beautiful flowers and fruits. But so that they can fulfill their role, they should be regularly brought into the appropriate shape. Whether it's about thatThinning out the hedgeso that the leaves can dry quickly or perhaps the hedge needs to be shortened a little so that it does not exceed the maximum permitted height: There are numerous care measures that need to be taken in summer. But what is actually allowed and what is strictly forbidden? In which cases are there penalties?
Cutting hedges: These cutting measures are prohibited in summer!
According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, radical cutting measures and the complete removal of the hedge between the beginning of March and the end of September are strictly prohibited. The aim is to protect nesting birds during the breeding season and wild animals during the mating season when raising young. This ban is inParagraph 39explains and affects not only the garden owners, but also the tenants of allotment gardens and everyone who maintains green spaces.
Prohibited are:
- The radical cutting back into the old wood
- Clearing the hedge
By the way, the local authorities have the right to extend this period. So you should always get information first if you want to clear your hedge or cut it back to the old wood.
Cutting hedges in summer: A caring cut is permitted
But there are also care cuts that are not only permitted, but simply have to be done in summer. These include, among others:
- Trimming the hedge. The maximum permitted hedge height can vary, but in most cases it must not exceed 200 cm. Fast-growing plants therefore need to be shortened.
- When the hedge grows out onto the sidewalk. Places that are difficult to see can lead to accidents. Therefore, the owners are obliged to give the hedge a topiary.
These caring pruning measures should best be carried out with hedge trimmers. Avoid using motorized garden tools and carefully check for nesting birds before cutting.
Cutting evergreen hedges: The right time in summer
Evergreen and wintergreen hedge plants such as boxwood or thuja are cut on cloudy days so that the interfaces do not burn. Stop watering the day before topiary so that the soil can dry out a little. Never cut the plants immediately after heavy rainfall - the interfaces should be dry, otherwise fungi and bacteria could spread.
The plants also have enough time to recover from the cut. If you trim your hedge too late, you risk frost damage in winter.
To further speed up wound healing, use sharp pruning shears and move them at an angle from top to bottom.
Cutting the boxwood hedge: The right time is in summer, around the end of June
The caring topiary should take place from the end of June to the end of July. This is necessary because the tree will sprout again from the end of June. If these fresh shoots are then shortened by 30%, the hedge will retain the desired shape for longer.
If you want to set accents, you can find special wire shapes in the garden center. The frame is overbuilt the boxwoodand fixed. All branches that protrude from the wire form are cut off.
Pruning the yew: Shorten the hedge twice in summer
The yew hedge also needs pruning in summer. For the first time it is cut into “A” shape in June, and in the second – at the end of August, beginning of September. If you missed the first cutting date, you can cut the yew around mid-August. The trapezoid shape (i.e. narrow at the top, wide at the bottom) is important because it means all shoots get enough sunlight.
Cutting thuja in summer: Here's how to proceed!
The thuja hedge is also cut once at the beginning of summer and once at the end of summer. In order for it to recover, the first cut should be done in June and the second - in early to mid-August.
Deciduous hedges: That's why you should cut cherry laurel and medlar at the end of June
Wintergreen deciduous hedges are also cut at the end of June to the beginning of July. This slows plant growth and the hedge retains its shape until next spring. The plants also have enough time to recover and heal.
Cut privet hedges in summer
To ensure that the privet hedge retains its shape even in the cold season, you should shorten it once at the end of June and once in mid-August. If you missed the right time in June, you can trim the hedge from the beginning of August.
Pruning cherry laurel: Topiary pruning is due at the end of June and the end of August
Cherry laurel is cut at the end of June, just before the start of the second annual shoots. It is best to use hand scissors and always check for breeding birds.
If desired, you can give the tree a topiary cut a second time, around the end of August. After the end of the flowering period, the cherry laurel begins to form flower buds again, which, however, will not open until next year. If you cut them off at the end of summer, the hedge plant will neither bloom nor bear poisonous fruit next year. Therefore, this cut is recommended for families with pets and small children.
Cutting hornbeam hedges: When is the right time in summer?
Hornbeam hedges are cut in late July to early August. Then you shouldn't use scissors again until spring. Only after the hornbeam sprouts again in March is pruning or topiary an option.
Cutting beech hedges: When is it allowed?
To ensure that the beech hedge grows densely, it is cut twice a year. Once in mid-February it is given a radical cut, which prevents it from sprouting againPromotes flower formation. A second time in June until the beginning of July at the latest, she will only be given a topiary cut.
