Managing a laurel hedge around a boundary wall
Hi There,
First time emailing this website (excuse awkwardness of writing), but have a quandry regarding a laurel hedge which has grown a bit since we bought the house 2 months ago (so lucky to get house and garden). As you will see in the photo its quite an established hedge - which fits in with an ornate boundary wall.
I am aware it is around the right time to consider cutting the hedge back - but wondering if there is anything I need to consider to make sure the hedge grows back to fit snuggly with the wall - not sticking out infront as it is now ....
Any advice on timing of hedge cutting and how to manage its presence around the wall columns etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Malcolm
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Posts
Lovely hedge and wall Malcolm. Are you able to contact the previous owners to find out how they managed it? Cutting it with shears or hedge trimmer I believe spoils it as that would chop leaves up and it will look horrible. Someone on here is bound to know how to attempt the job.
I like that slightly proud of the wall look. It adds depth to the picture
Nut, I agree - it gives it a lush and generous look - and also trimming it so that it is absolutely flush with the wall would risk damaging the hedge trimmers.
Malcolm
It looks perfect as it is - I would just keep it like that, slightly proud of the wall, with regular trimming two or maybe three times a year with an electric hedge clipper - I know they're not recommended for laurel as they cut through the large leaves leaving a raw edge which might go brown - possibly you're going to have to go over it from time to time with secateurs removing any individual leaves which are spoiling the look of the hedge by turning brown - a bit of a faff but in my humble opinion worth it to maintain the beautiful boundary you have there - hopefully the rest of the garden has been planted and maintained with just as good an eye - I hope you're very happy in your new garden.
Thanks all for comments so far - we are looking up the address of the family of the previous owners to drop them a line and ask them about their previous hedge management - as well as having now entered into negotiations with top management (my wife) as to allowing the hedge to possibly protrude beyond the boundary wall. The rest of the garden is al lovely - goes all around the house - some bits need work and other small trees do need managing - to be honest we are a bit afraid where to start ...... all good fun though (we are very lucky).
You are lucky Malc.
Hi Brumbull - its roughly oabout 1m wide and about 1.9m hight - quite big trunks behind the wall from where hedge has fitted into the gaps between the columns - but needed to cut it back by the end showing in the photo - since was pushing the drive gate and couldn't get the car up the drive safely (so needed to cut the end bit - will do more on that bit I suspect).
looks lovely MalcB, I agree with others it looks better hanging over. plus it stops people sitting on the wall. (something my mum hates)
I planted a laurel hedge about 15 meters worth in 2012 along one side out back, only just now reaching about 5ft. I'm going to give it a month then take it down by half to make it more bushy. I'm thinking its going to take me 10years+ to get it like yours. I'm a little jealous I must say.
Plus if you do cut it back beyond the current leaf line you're bound to get bits of die back. It's what laurel does
I'd agree with Dove, Verd, Zombie and nut. The hedge is framing and enhancing the wall so they are both benefiting each other. I've used hedge trimmers for laurel in the past- when it's a long hedge it's very time consuming to do with secateurs or shears although that's the recommended way. As Dove said- just go over it now and again with secateurs and take off any brown leaves which have been cut in half with the trimmers.
It means you'll have more time for all the countless other jobs!
Looks like a cracking garden MalcB - enjoy working and sitting in it.