How to Reshape a Boxwood Hedge

Boxwood makes an excellent hedge because the shrub easily works in both casual and formal shapes alike. The evergreen grows densely and although the plant prefers shady conditions, it easily adapts to sunny locations as well. Exact size, color, shape and growth rate varies based on the type of boxwood in your yard. For example, some boxwood naturally grows in a spherical shape, whereas others grow vertically. Unkempt boxwood hedges may need reshaping, requiring only a few common garden tools.

Things You'll Need

Clippers
Shears
Rags

Sandpaper
Alcohol

Instructions

- 1
  Clean hedge clippers and shears to prevent spreading disease around the garden. Remove caked-on dirt or rust with a rag or sandpaper. Disinfect the clippers with alcohol by rubbing the alcohol onto the blades of the clippers and shears.
- 2
  Remove all dead wood or diseased branches from the shrub.
- 3
  Reshape the hedges with shears, making the top of the hedge narrower than the base of the bush. A bottom-heavy hedge allows more sun and rain to reach the inner part of the hedge, enabling it to grow better.
- 4
  Cut 6 inches more than what you want for the overall finished shape, and reshape the top of the hedges with slight peaks and rounded edges. Straight lines and flat tops accumulate snow too easily -- and require more frequent trimming to keep them looking nice. Rounded shapes look more natural and require less maintenance.
- 5
  Trim the hedge as needed to keep the desired shape, normally before the hedge grows more than 1 foot.

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