I’d prune formal hedges slightly wider at the base than at the top. That way, the sides of the hedge will receive equal sun exposure, and you’ll keep the foliage full from the top to the bottom.

The best time to prune flowering hedges will depend on the type of hedge, but a good general rule of thumb is to prune straight after they have flowered. As with when to prune shrubs, prune flowering ...

Every time you cut a hedge, you are creating topiary, according to "Topiary Joe" Kyte. That's because you're making vegetation into unnatural shapes -- and that's what topiary is.

Formal hedges are usually pruned into some sculpted form and are trimmed regularly to keep them in shape. They typically contain just one kind of plant, most often non-native shrubs.

Formal hedges once were common features in American gardens after World War II. Many were formed from privet -- living walls of greenery that made us feel like a baroque king or queen.

Contrary to popular belief, hedges do not have to be sheared into tight, formal affairs. Hedges can be allowed to grow without training or pruning.

Sometimes a shrub needs a sharp edge. Horticulturists agree that for most shrubs, selective pruning that retains their natural form is healthier, more attractive and much easier on the gardener ...

Great Plant Pick: variegated boxwood. This hedge will lighten up a shady place, and can be shaped or left in its billowy natural form. Wednesday, January 11, 2023 1:30am ...

Yew (Taxus).Sturdy, hardy, resilient and relatively shade-tolerant, yews are common, especially in older neighborhoods where many were planted in the 20th century for formal hedges.