Shaped hedges, healthy shrubs

Christchurch sections are full of pittosporum, griselinia, camellia and photinia hedges that put on a growth flush in spring and need levelling again in late summer. Barnleigh 2000 trims hedges back to a clean line — flat tops, straight sides, and nothing taken harder than the plant can handle.

Roses are pruned in winter when the framework is visible, cutting to outward buds so spring growth opens up instead of tangling. Deciduous shrubs get thinned rather than sheared where it matters, and spent flower heads are removed through the season to keep things blooming.

• Hedge levelling and shaping, sides and tops.
• Winter rose pruning and deadheading through summer.
• Shrubs thinned and cut back at the right time of year.
• All prunings gathered and taken away.

Timing matters more than most people think — hedging laurels in a hot nor'wester scorches the cut faces, so the visit is scheduled for kind conditions where possible. Tall hedges that need ladders or reach gear are worth mentioning when you call.