Why your hedge may need an extra trim this year

Gardeners may need to get their hedge trimmers back out this autumn, as an unusually warm growing season has encouraged some hedges to put on a late flourish of growth.

After an exceptionally hot and dry summer, many hedges slowed their growth during the periods of heat and drought. However, with temperatures now falling and rainfall returning, hedges are recovering and some are responding with fresh, vigorous growth. The upshot? Hedges that would normally have had their final trim by this point may be looking noticeably overgrown again.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra Garden Machinery, says: “We’re seeing a very unusual growing season this year, and gardeners shouldn’t necessarily assume that their hedge has finished growing simply because we’re into autumn.

“The prolonged warmth has extended the growing season, while the return of moisture following the dry summer can encourage hedges to put on a late flush of growth. For some, that could mean they need an additional tidy-up later in the year than gardeners would normally expect.

“We recommend taking a look at your hedge rather than relying solely on the calendar. If you’re seeing lots of fresh green shoots and the hedge has started to lose its shape again, it may be time for another light trim. However, where a hedge is still showing signs of drought stress, such as brown, crispy or prematurely dropping foliage, it’s better to allow it time to recover rather than removing large amounts of growth.”

Five tips for autumn hedge trimming

1. Check the hedge before you cut - Look for signs of drought stress, pests and disease as well as new growth. If the foliage is healthy and there are vigorous new shoots, it may be ready for a light tidy. A hedge that is still visibly stressed may need more time to recover.

2. Don't automatically take off a large amount - If your hedge has grown less than usual this year, there may be less material to remove. Aim to maintain its shape rather than trying to compensate for missed cuts with one aggressive prune. Regular trimming generally removes young growth rather than old wood.

3. Keep the right shape - For a formal hedge, keep the base slightly wider than the top so that sunlight can reach the lower branches. This helps prevent bare patches developing towards the base.

4. Check carefully for wildlife - Always inspect the hedge before trimming. Although the main bird nesting season is generally March to August, nesting can continue beyond this period. If you discover an active nest, postpone cutting until it is no longer in use.

5. Make clearing up part of the job - Don't leave piles of hedge clippings sitting on the lawn or borders. Smaller trimmings can be composted or put into green waste, while larger woody material can be shredded and reused as garden material. Cobra's new QS2800 Quiet Shredder can process branches and garden waste up to 45mm in diameter, with a 2800W motor, auto-feed function and 60-litre collection box.

The right tool for the job

For gardeners tackling a larger hedge, the Cobra HT55040VX 40V MAX+ cordless hedgetrimmer combines a 60cm double-sided cutting blade with 26mm tooth spacing and a 2400spm no-load speed. Weighing 3kg, it also features a rotating handle, making it easier to maintain a comfortable position when moving between vertical sides and the top of a hedge. It comes supplied with a 40V 4Ah MAX+ battery and charger.

Together, the HT55040VX and QS2800 offer a practical way to tackle the whole autumn hedge job – from giving an overgrown hedge a careful tidy to dealing with the resulting garden waste.

For further information, visit www.cobragarden.co.uk

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Editors notes

Notes to editors

For media enquiries, product samples, competitions and images please contact Holly Daulby at Honest Communications on holly@honestcommunications.co.uk. 

About Cobra

Cobra is one of the UK’s leading lawncare brands, offering the UK’s largest and most comprehensive range of powered lawnmowers engineered to deliver exceptional lawn performance for gardens and landscapes of every size.

Launched in 2013, by true lawn-care experts, Nottingham-based Henton & Chattell, one of the largest distributors of garden machinery in the UK, the brand has rapidly grown to become a trusted choice for homeowners, estates and professional users seeking powerful, reliable machines built for superior cutting results.

Backed by Henton & Chattell’s 95 years of garden machinery expertise, Cobra combines proven industry knowledge with modern engineering innovation to continuously develop its products and advance lawncare performance. The range continues to evolve, spanning pedestrian mowers, cordless rear-roller machines, ride-on tractors, zero-turn mowers and advanced robotic mowing technology.

Alongside its extensive offering of lawnmowers, wider garden machinery products are available, such as scarifiers, aerators, as grass strimmers, leaf blowers, shredders, pressure washers, generators, cultivators, chippers, multitools and brushcutters across petrol, battery and electric models. Cordless battery products include 24volt, 40volt and 80volt options, with an interchangeable battery across each system meaning the customer only needs to purchase one for an array of tools.

Cobra is committed to helping customers achieve healthier lawns and a superior finish through high-performance equipment and expert insight. Supported by a nationwide network of specialist dealers, the brand offers professional advice, servicing and dependable long-term ownership support.

Part of the Henton & Chattell “95 Years Strong” legacy, Cobra represents expertise, reliability and a long-term commitment to the UK garden machinery industry.