<h4>You're browser does not support iFrames - here is an exerpt of the content</h4> <a href="http://gardenerstips.co.uk/blog/flowers/trim-a-straight-and-floral-hedge/">Click here to read the article in full</a> <p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4848677633_79ebbab3e1.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>August is a good time to trim your hedges and create a neat appearance for autumn and winter.</p> <p><strong>When of Hedge Trimming.</strong></p> <ul> <li>When birds have flown their nests you can trim to your hearts content without disturbing the fledglings.</li> <li>Try to prune a wild life hedge only after the fruit have been eaten in late winter.</li> <li>Trimming in late summer leaves enough time for hedges to to put on a bit of new growth to cover ravaged twigs.</li> <li>Do not trim conifers later than August as they may go brown and unsightly.</li> <li>Prune flowering hedges straight after flowering.</li> </ul> <p><strong>The How of Hedge Trimming</strong></p> <ul> <li>To achieve a flat top stretch taught string to provide a horizontal plumb line.</li> <li>To make a bend in the hedge use double stakes with the string as in the photograph.</li> <li>Trim a hedge from the bottom upwards so trimmings fall away.</li> <li>Use secateurs to tidy up after trimmers if they leave a mess.</li> <li><a href="http://gardenerstips.co.uk/blog/flowers/copper-beech-hedge/">Beech</a>, Privet, Holly and Hawthorn all recover from hard pruning. Conifers will not regrow from brown wood.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Flowering Hedges</strong></p> <ul> <li>Camellia will form an evergreen barrier.</li> <li>Forsythia has brilliant yellow flowers in spring but works best in a mixed hedge.</li> <li>Berberis creates a dense, thorny hedge with spring flowers and autumn berries. Deciduous and evergreen <a href="http://gardenerstips.co.uk/blog/flowers/trees-and-shrubs/berberis-decidious-or-evergreen/">varieties are available</a>.</li> <li>Upright hardy varieties of Fuchsia can look good in a warm garden.</li> <li>Lavender’s fragrant flowers add to an informal low hedge.</li> <li>Informal hedges of large leaved <a href="http://gardenerstips.co.uk/blog/flowers/hedges-of-laurel/">Laure</a>l are often found in old gardens</li> </ul>
