Hedges hold a garden together. Sharp, level, full of leaf — they make everything else look intentional. Let them go and the whole yard looks tired.
On the Coast, most hedges want a trim every 8–12 weeks through the growing season (Sep–May) and a heavier shape-up in winter. Lilly pilly and murraya push the fastest. Photinia and viburnum are slower, but their leaves are larger so any sloppy cut shows.
Shape matters as much as timing. The base wants to be slightly wider than the top — that way light reaches the bottom leaves and the hedge stays dense down low. Cut it straight up and down, and over time the base thins out and you get a tall, leggy mess.
The one-third rule applies to hedges too. Don't take more than a third of the leaf in any one cut. A heavy shape-up should still leave a green wall, not bare stems.
Hand shears for shaping detail and the top line. Power shears for the bulk of the length. Where we're trimming through old growth, secateurs come out for individual cuts so we don't tear the wood.
Whatever's trimmed, the clippings go with us. Hedge clippings break down slowly and clog kerbside bins fast. A trailer full leaves the same day.