Encouraging leaves on mixed hedge

Mander

I am cutting this overgrown mixed hedge down a bit and hoping to encourage it to put out more leaves and flowers lower down. I have already cut quite a bit down and removed some of the stems down to the ground or the main trunk, especially on the one that I think is a Philadelphus. The other plants in there are two flowering currants, I think a Weigela, and some volunteer cotoneaster and something that I only know as a "China berry", which is not my favourite.

Presumably because it's been so neglected and not getting much light it has grown long, straight branches with spindly leaves at the top, especially the Philadelphus and Weigela. Besides cutting them lower and thinning them out is there anything I can do to encourage more leafy bits lower down on the plant? Fertilizer of some kind?

Lizzie27

Now that you've cut them down and thinned them out, the bottom stems should receive more light which will encourage more leaves to grow. It might help if you put some chicken fertiliser pellets or Growmore down around the base and keep the plants well watered.

Loxley

No need for fertiliser IMO, cutting it as you've suggested will have the desired effect. Try and trim to an 'A' shape so the base of the hedge isn't overshadowed by the top.