Transform overgrown, uneven hedges into crisp, beautiful landscape features with expert hedge shaping from Greenlawn Inc. Serving Ellicott City, Columbia, and Howard County since 1986.
Most hedges benefit from 2-3 shapings per year: late spring after new growth hardens, mid-summer to maintain shape, and early fall for winter prep. Flowering hedges require timing around bloom cycles—call for a custom schedule!
Schedule professional hedge shaping in Howard County
Call for FREE EstimateHedges are one of the most prominent landscape features in Ellicott City and Columbia neighborhoods—they define property lines, create privacy screens, frame entryways, and add formal structure to gardens. But hedges require regular, skilled shaping to look their best and remain healthy. Without proper maintenance, hedges quickly become overgrown, uneven, and bare at the bottom, losing their beauty and function.
At Greenlawn Inc, we've been shaping hedges throughout Howard County for 39 years. Our experience has taught us that successful hedge shaping is about more than just cutting plants into shapes—it requires understanding plant growth patterns, proper timing, correct cutting angles, and techniques that promote dense, healthy foliage from top to bottom. We've shaped everything from formal boxwood parterre hedges to massive Leyland cypress privacy screens, and we know exactly what each hedge type needs to thrive.
Hedges that don't receive professional shaping develop multiple problems:
Professional hedge shaping from Greenlawn Inc transforms overgrown, uneven hedges into beautiful landscape features. Here's our proven approach:
We begin by evaluating your hedge's current condition, species, growth rate, and your aesthetic goals. Different hedge types require different approaches—boxwood, privet, holly, arborvitae, yew, and Leyland cypress all have unique characteristics. We identify any health issues, bare areas, or structural problems that need addressing. We also discuss your preferred hedge height, width, and style (formal vs. informal).
Timing is critical for hedge health. We schedule shaping based on your hedge species and its growth pattern. Fast-growing hedges like privet may need 3-4 shapings per year in Howard County's growing season; slow-growing boxwood may need only 1-2. Flowering hedges must be shaped at specific times to avoid cutting off flower buds. Our 39 years of local experience ensures we shape at optimal times for each hedge type.
We use commercial hedge trimmers for large, formal hedges, ensuring perfectly level tops and smooth sides. For smaller or more detailed work, we use hand pruners for precision. Critical technique: we always shape hedges slightly wider at the bottom than the top (tapered profile). This allows sunlight to reach lower branches, preventing the bare-bottom problem that plagues so many Howard County hedges. For formal hedges, we use guide strings and levels to ensure perfect geometry.
Beyond surface shaping, we selectively thin hedge interiors to improve air circulation and light penetration. This reduces disease pressure and promotes healthy new growth from inner branches. We remove dead wood, crossing branches, and any damaged or diseased material. This interior work is often neglected but essential for long-term hedge health.
Hedge shaping generates substantial clippings, especially on large privacy hedges. We thoroughly clean up all trimmings, removing them from your property. We also blow off surrounding areas to remove stray leaves and debris. Your Ellicott City or Columbia property looks immaculate when we're finished.
Our hedge shaping expertise covers all common hedge types in Ellicott City and Columbia landscapes:
Boxwood is the classic formal hedge for Howard County properties. These slow-growing, fine-textured shrubs can be shaped into perfectly crisp geometric forms. We typically shape boxwood 1-2 times per year—once in late spring after new growth hardens, and optionally again in late summer. Boxwood requires careful attention to taper and light penetration to prevent bare centers. Our shaping promotes the dense, tight appearance that makes boxwood hedges so desirable.
Privet is a fast-growing, affordable hedge option popular in older Howard County neighborhoods. These vigorous plants require frequent shaping—typically 3-4 times during the growing season (May through September). Privet responds well to aggressive shaping and quickly fills in after trimming. We keep privet hedges dense and full while managing their enthusiastic growth rate.
Various holly species (Nellie Stevens, American holly, Japanese holly) make excellent evergreen hedges for Maryland. Holly can be shaped formally or maintained more naturally. We typically shape holly hedges 1-2 times per year, avoiding shaping during berry development if you want to preserve winter berries. Holly's dense growth habit responds well to shaping, creating excellent privacy screens.
Arborvitae (particularly 'Green Giant' and 'Emerald Green') are extremely popular for privacy hedges in Ellicott City and Columbia. These fast-growing evergreens can reach 20-30 feet if not controlled. We shape arborvitae to maintain desired height and width while preserving their naturally pyramidal form. Proper shaping prevents the bare interiors that plague neglected arborvitae hedges. We typically shape these 1-2 times per year.
Leyland cypress grows extremely fast (3-4 feet per year when young) and makes massive privacy screens. These require aggressive, regular shaping to control size. Without annual shaping, Leyland cypress becomes unmanageable and develops bare lower branches. We shape these at least once annually, often twice for younger, faster-growing plants.
Yew is one of the best hedges for formal shaping because it tolerates severe pruning and regenerates from old wood. Japanese yew and Anglojap yew are common in Howard County landscapes. We can maintain yew as tight formal hedges or more relaxed informal screens. Yew typically needs 1-2 shapings per year and responds beautifully to precise trimming.
Howard County properties use two main hedge styles, each requiring different shaping approaches:
Formal hedges feature geometric precision—flat tops, smooth vertical sides, and crisp edges. These require more frequent maintenance and careful technique. We use guide strings, levels, and commercial hedge trimmers to achieve perfectly level, smooth surfaces. Formal hedges work beautifully in traditional landscapes, formal gardens, and properties where crisp, architectural plantings are desired. Common formal hedge plants include boxwood, yew, and privet. Formal hedges typically need 2-3 shapings per year to maintain sharp appearance.
Informal hedges maintain more natural forms while still being controlled for size and fullness. These are popular for privacy screens and naturalistic landscapes. We shape informal hedges to control height and width while preserving their natural growth habit, resulting in softer, more organic lines. Informal hedges typically need less frequent maintenance than formal hedges—often 1-2 shapings per year. Arborvitae, holly, and flowering shrubs work well as informal hedges.
Professional shaping restores beauty and function
Call Now for EstimateWell-shaped hedges dramatically improve your property's appearance. Crisp, uniform hedges signal attention to detail and property care, while overgrown, shaggy hedges suggest neglect. Professional shaping transforms your landscape's overall impression.
Privacy hedges must remain dense from ground to top to function properly. Our tapered shaping technique and selective thinning ensure light reaches all parts of the hedge, maintaining full, thick growth that effectively screens views and reduces noise.
Regular shaping prevents hedges from outgrowing their intended space. We maintain hedges at optimal heights and widths for your property size, preventing encroachment on driveways, walkways, and neighboring properties. This is especially important in Howard County's suburban neighborhoods with smaller lots.
Proper shaping techniques promote healthy growth patterns. By ensuring light reaches all parts of the hedge and maintaining good air circulation, we reduce disease and pest problems. Selective interior thinning removes deadwood and crossing branches that can harbor problems.
Hedges that receive regular professional shaping can thrive for decades. Neglected hedges often develop severe bare spots and structural problems that require complete removal and replacement. Regular maintenance is far more cost-effective than hedge replacement.
Shaping frequency depends on hedge species and growth rate. Fast-growing hedges like privet typically need 3-4 shapings per season (May through September). Moderate growers like arborvitae and holly need 1-2 shapings annually—usually late spring and mid to late summer. Slow-growing formal hedges like boxwood often need just 1-2 shapings per year. Privacy screens generally need more frequent attention than small ornamental hedges. During your initial consultation, we'll recommend a specific schedule based on your hedge type and desired appearance. Most Ellicott City and Columbia properties benefit from at least 2 annual shapings to maintain neat, healthy hedges.
Yes, but the approach depends on hedge species and severity. Some plants like yew, boxwood, and privet tolerate severe renovation and will regenerate from old wood. We can cut these back hard to restore proper size and shape, though recovery takes 1-2 growing seasons. Other plants like Leyland cypress and arborvitae won't regenerate from bare wood—if these have become too large or bare inside, replacement may be necessary. For moderately overgrown hedges, we use gradual reduction over 2-3 seasons, removing height and width incrementally while maintaining green foliage. This slower approach keeps hedges attractive during recovery. We'll assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach for your Howard County hedge.
For most evergreen hedges, late spring (May-June) after new growth has hardened is optimal for the first shaping. A second shaping in mid to late summer (July-August) maintains shape through fall. Avoid shaping after early September in Howard County—late-season pruning can stimulate new growth that won't harden off before winter, resulting in freeze damage. Flowering hedges require different timing based on bloom cycle. Spring-blooming shrubs should be shaped immediately after flowering; summer bloomers can be shaped in early spring before growth begins. We'll schedule your specific hedge based on its species and your landscape goals.
Bare bottoms develop when hedge tops shade lower branches, preventing photosynthesis. Without light, lower foliage dies and doesn't regenerate. This is extremely common in hedges shaped with vertical sides or (worse) wider tops than bottoms. The solution is proper taper—hedges must be wider at the bottom than the top, allowing sunlight to reach all levels. When we shape your Howard County hedge, we always create this slight taper (often barely visible to the eye but critical for plant health). For hedges that have already developed bare bottoms, solutions depend on species. Some plants regenerate from old wood; others don't. We can assess your specific situation and recommend corrective actions.
Absolutely. Precise height control is one of the main reasons homeowners choose professional hedge shaping. Whether you need a 3-foot border hedge, a 6-foot privacy screen, or specific height for view preservation, we can maintain your hedge at your desired height. We use guide strings and levels to ensure perfectly even heights across long hedge runs. For hedges currently taller than desired, we can gradually reduce height over multiple seasons if needed for plant health, or make more dramatic cuts if the species tolerates it. Just communicate your target height during consultation and we'll shape accordingly.
Yes, complete cleanup is included in all our hedge shaping services. We collect and remove all clippings from your property—this can be substantial volume with large hedges. We also blow off surrounding areas to remove stray leaves and small debris. Your Ellicott City or Columbia property looks clean and professional when our crew finishes. Many DIY homeowners underestimate the cleanup work involved in hedge shaping—it's often more time-consuming than the actual trimming. Our crews have efficient systems and proper equipment to handle cleanup quickly.
Transform overgrown, uneven hedges into beautiful landscape features with professional hedge shaping from Greenlawn Inc. Since 1986, we've been maintaining hedges throughout Ellicott City, Columbia, and Howard County, and we understand exactly what it takes to keep your hedges looking their best year after year.
Our experienced crews use professional equipment and proven techniques to shape hedges of all types and sizes. Whether you have formal boxwood borders, massive privacy screens, or anything in between, we have the expertise to deliver beautiful results. Our comprehensive shrub and hedge care services can maintain your entire landscape with regular seasonal maintenance.
Professional hedge shaping transforms your landscape
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Trusted by Howard County families since 1986
Family Owned • Expert Crews • Beautiful Results
About Greenlawn Inc: Since 1986, Greenlawn Inc has provided expert landscaping and plant care services to homeowners throughout Ellicott City, Columbia, and Howard County, Maryland. Our experienced team specializes in shrub and hedge maintenance, plant health care, garden bed services, and all aspects of professional landscape maintenance for beautiful Maryland properties.