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Hedge care & maintenance

When you look after your hedge properly, it becomes a beautiful garden boundary. We explain what hedge maintenance involves in addition to pruning.

Hedge maintenance


If you look after your hedge well, it can grow healthily and fulfil its function. Even in the planning and planting stages, you lay the foundations for successful hedge maintenance – so you should work conscientiously on these aspects and take enough time to implement them correctly. Your planted hedge must be pruned and watered regularly and correctly. Variations in soil quality mean that most hedges also need fertiliser to grow strong and beautiful. If gaps develop even with fertiliser, or if diseased leaves appear in your hedge, you will need to act quickly: there are often simple measures you can take to protect your hedge against pests or diseases and thus save it from major damage.

A woman wearing protective equipment using the STIHL HSA 56 cordless hedge trimmer to trim a hedge

Hedge trimming

It is generally advisable to prune your hedge around twice a year. Some hedges only need to be pruned once a year. Please note the following when you are thinking of pruning your hedge: radical pruning is not advised during the nesting season to ensure there is plenty of biodiversity and fauna.
More about pruning hedges
Woman trimming a box hedge in front of a white house using a STIHL HSA 26 cordless hedge trimmer

Box hedge planting and care

Evergreen box is one of the most popular garden plants in the world thanks to its diverse design options. Read our comprehensive guide to find out how to keep your boxwood looking good all year round.
More on box bush maintenance

From a small ornamental hedge to tall privacy hedge screens that blocks the view: our guide goes through what really matters when planting a hedge and brings you closer to your goal one step at a time. Get the information now – including instructions for your project.
More about planting hedges
A strong, healthy garden hedge with lawn, trees in the background

Fertilising a hedge

Lush green leaves, healthy growth and strong hedge plants – all achievable simply by fertilising your hedge correctly. Our guide will tell you the best fertilising strategy for your hedge and explain which nutrients your hedge plants require.
More on fertilising hedges
Woman examines a hedge for hedge problems

hedge diseases

Although most hedges are quite robust, they can be damaged by diseases. Hedges can be attacked by insects such as aphids or fungus gnats as well as rust or fungal diseases. In this overview, we will show you how to recognise and combat a number of typical hedge diseases.
More about hedge diseases
Brown patches and gaps in a hedge

Filling gaps in hedges

Gaps in hedges are unsightly, but they can usually be closed again. Learn how to identify the root causes and fill in gaps in our guide. This will enable you to eliminate and prevent bare patches in a targeted manner.
More about gaps in hedges
A woman using a STIHL HSA 56 cordless hedge trimmer cuts back a long, tall and green hedge, with trees in the background

Hedge types

Hedges are used as a privacy screen, fence alternative, protective barrier for delicate plants, and much more. There is no single correct hedge type – just the right one for you! In this article we have listed a number of evergreen, bee-friendly and other hedge types along with their advantages.
Discover appropriate hedge types
Eine Frau schneidet den Buchsbaum mit der Akku-Strauchschere STIHL HSA 26 mithilfe einer Pappschablone in Kugelform

Boxwood topiary

Many gardens feature a box bush or hedge. Topiary is a great way to transform yours into a little piece of art. We explain how to trim your box bush into a sphere with the help of a few clever tricks.
More about boxwood topiary

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