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I have moved into apartment and puniculata hedge on fenceline that runs along footpath is thick and spindly. A local nursery man suggested I prune hard and a good halfway down to encourage denser growth. I am trying to increase courtyard privacy in the long term.
Do you suggest I prune to halfway down?
Hello @GenaL
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your Murraya hedge.
Yes, pruning your Murraya paniculata (orange jessamine) hedge back by about halfway is a sound recommendation, provided it’s done at the right time and with good aftercare. From your photos, it looks like the hedge has grown quite leggy and sparse in its upper portions while the lower growth remains dense. This pattern usually develops when the hedge has been trimmed lightly at the top for years, causing the inner and lower branches to lose leaves and vigor due to lack of light.
A hard prune to about halfway down will encourage dormant buds along the stems to break, leading to much bushier and denser regrowth. However, it’s best to do this type of renovation pruning in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing and temperatures are mild. If you prune hard in autumn or winter, recovery will be slow, and you might expose the plant to cold or fungal stress.
After pruning, apply a controlled-release fertilizer formulated for hedges or evergreen shrubs (Scotts Osmocote 9kg All Purpose Landscape Controlled Release Fertiliser), water deeply to encourage new growth from the roots, and mulch the base to retain moisture. You can also lightly tip-prune new shoots every few months afterward to maintain compactness and privacy. Within one growing season, you should see significant thickening of foliage, and by the following year, the hedge should provide the privacy you’re aiming for.
If you want a slightly more cautious approach, you could start by reducing one side or section first, observe regrowth for a few months, and then complete the remainder. This avoids temporarily losing all your screening at once while still rejuvenating the hedge.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
