There are, of course, many different hedge plants, but the hornbeam is certainly a popular variety. Not only can this hedge plant be combined with numerous, different garden styles, but it is also generally rather low-maintenance. The hornbeam can grow well in almost any garden soil and it also does not need intensive care. Nevertheless, the hornbeam should also be cut back from time to time. But how often should you do it? And what is the best way to proceed? Pruning a hornbeam: this is how to do it!
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When is the best time to cut?
Good news: You can cut back hornbeam all year round. Should there be frost or even post-frost? Then, however, you should wait a little longer before cutting. It is also not recommended to cut the hornbeam in full sun: the leaves can then burn and thus look unsightly. However, one pruning per year is quite sufficient for the hornbeam. This way it can keep its shape well and also always looks neatly groomed. Do you prefer particularly neat hedges? Then you may want to prune the hornbeam twice a year. In principle, however, a second cut per year is not absolutely necessary.
The best tools for cutting
Now that hornbeam is a deciduous hedge plant, is it best to trim it with hedge shears or electric hedge trimmers? Whatever equipment you use to trim your hedges, always make sure your equipment is clean and sharp enough. Are you new to trimming a hedge or don’t have a green thumb? Then use a hand hedge trimmer instead. Cutting with a hand hedge trimmer will take a little longer, but small mistakes will be easier to correct. If you already have experience with cutting a hedge, then of course you can also use an electric hedge trimmer. With electric hedge trimmers, the result is usually also tighter and neater. But one thing is clear: practice makes perfect!
How do I do it?
Do you really want to cut the hedge or hornbeam hedge completely straight? Then stretch a straight string along the hedge. Then cut exactly along this string and you will definitely get a tight result this way. Especially garden owners who are not so experienced with cutting a hornbeam hedge like to use this method. It is a practical tool that actually always works quite well. It is best to prune the hornbeam from the bottom up. Then make sure that you leave the hedge a little wide in the lower half, but then cut it back a little narrower in the upper half: this way, the sunlight can spread more evenly throughout your hedge, and dried out areas on the underside of the hedge can be more easily avoided as a result.
What do I do after cutting the hornbeam?
It is definitely good to give your hornbeam a proper trim every now and then. Pruning also allows your hedge to branch out more, making it more and more compact and opaque. Nevertheless, pruning is not so easy for plants to cope with, because your hornbeam also needs time to recover after a proper pruning. That’s why you should give your hedge a good supply of fertilizer after a pruning, so that it can recover more quickly. Read more about hedge plants for small gardens here.
Fertilizer specially formulated for fertilizing hedge plants is available at online garden centers, nurseries and home improvement stores. However, hedge plants are also always very close to each other. Therefore, the garden soil in which a hedge grows needs even different nutrients and minerals than a garden soil in which individual plants grow. Spread the fertilizer on the garden soil with a garden rake, all around your hedge. After that, give your hedge a good amount of water. This way, your hedge will recover more quickly from pruning, and your hedge will then look good for a long time to come. You can learn more about planting a hornbeam here.
A good quality hornbeam
If you prune and care for your hornbeam well, you will have many years of enjoyment from a wonderful hedge. Nevertheless, it is important that you buy a hornbeam that is of good quality. After all, it is not an easy task to then subsequently replant a poorly branched hornbeam, which can then sometimes cost a lot of time and effort. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the time and effort will then lead to success. Would you like to buy a hornbeam through Heckenpflanzendirekt.de? Then you know for sure that you will then buy a hornbeam that has a good quality, and that is particularly well branched from the bottom up. In fact, our hornbeams come only from the best nurseries in Europe, and they are grown in a healthy, natural way until they become robust and particularly strong hedge plants, which will then also last for decades. In this way you will have a lot of fun with a wonderful garden border!
