Expert shrub trimming and maintenance for Howard County properties. Keep foundation plantings, hedges, and ornamental shrubs neat, healthy, and attractive.
Get FREE EstimateWithout regular trimming, shrubs grow beyond intended dimensions, blocking windows and walkways, looking unkempt, and requiring expensive renovation work.
Properly trimmed shrubs enhance property appearance, stay healthy through better air circulation, and require far less work than rescuing severely overgrown plantings.
Regular maintenance keeps shrubs at 2-3 times yearly prevents drastic cutting and maintains the attractive shapes that make landscaping beautiful.
Foundation plantings grow over windows reducing natural light and creating security concerns while encroaching on walkways.
Untrimmed shrubs become leggy, sparse at bottom, and irregular—the defined shapes that make landscaping attractive disappear.
Many flowering shrubs need proper trimming for renewal of flowering wood. Neglect gradually reduces bloom production over years.
Dense, untrimmed interiors trap moisture and block air circulation creating ideal conditions for fungal diseases and pests.
Overgrown shrubs make nice homes look neglected. Buyers and appraisers notice shrubs overwhelming landscapes.
Severely overgrown shrubs eventually require drastic cutting or complete replacement—far costlier than regular trimming.
We provide various levels of shrub maintenance for Howard County properties based on your needs:
Regular 2-3 yearly sessions keep shrubs at established size and shape with light trimming of new growth.
More substantial cutting brings oversized shrubs back to appropriate scale, staged over 2-3 seasons if needed.
Precise geometric shaping for boxwood, privet, and yew hedges requiring 2-4 trimmings per season for tight form.
Timing-specific trimming for azaleas, lilacs, hydrangeas, and roses that preserves flower bud production.
Controls size before vigorous growth begins. Trim summer-flowering shrubs and evergreens. Wait until after bloom for spring-flowering shrubs.
Maintains appearance on fast-growing shrubs. Formal hedges get touch-ups. Light work during hot weather to minimize stress.
Prepares shrubs for winter with light trimming. Avoids heavy cutting that encourages tender growth before freeze.
Spring bloomers (forsythia, azaleas, lilacs) must be trimmed immediately after flowering finishes—they set next year's buds on new summer growth. Summer bloomers (butterfly bush, roses) are trimmed in late winter before spring growth. Proper timing preserves maximum bloom production.
Foundation planting staples. Respond excellently to trimming, need 2-3 sessions yearly, tolerate heavy reduction.
Popular spring bloomers. Trim immediately after flowering. Generally need only annual trimming for size control.
Common evergreen varieties. Tolerate trimming well, grow slowly, can be formal or informal shapes.
Timing depends on variety—bigleaf bloom on old wood, panicle/smooth bloom on new wood. We identify and trim correctly.
Low-maintenance conifers. Tolerate trimming of green foliage but don't regenerate from old bare wood.
Classic hedge materials. Tolerate heavy shaping and frequent trimming for formal appearance.
Pricing depends on shrub quantity, size, and complexity. We provide free estimates after visiting your Columbia property.
Call for your free on-site estimate: 410-992-8680
Most Howard County shrubs benefit from 2-3 trimmings yearly to maintain size and shape. Fast-growing shrubs or formal hedges may need 3-4 sessions. Slow-growing varieties might manage with annual trimming. For most Columbia landscapes, spring and fall trimming is minimum reasonable frequency, with summer visits added for properties requiring tighter maintenance.
Size reduction is possible for most shrubs but has limits. Shrubs that regenerate from old wood (boxwood, holly, yew, privet) tolerate heavy cutting. Shrubs that don't regenerate (azaleas, rhododendrons, most conifers) cannot be cut severely. Severe reduction typically requires staged approach over 2-3 years. We assess honestly—sometimes replacement is better than renovation.
Improper timing can eliminate blooms, but correct timing preserves flowering. Spring bloomers must be trimmed immediately after flowering—they set next year's buds on new growth. Summer bloomers are trimmed in late winter before spring growth. Our 39 years experience means we know timing requirements for common Howard County shrubs.
DIY is certainly possible with time, tools, and inclination. However, professional service offers advantages: commercial equipment cuts faster and cleaner, experience ensures proper timing, skill creates attractive shapes, and efficiency completes work in fraction of DIY time. For properties with many shrubs, professional service usually provides better value when time is factored in.
Complete clipping removal and disposal is included. We don't leave piles or bags—everything is hauled away from your Columbia property. Our trucks and trailers handle disposal efficiently. When we finish, your property is clean with neatly trimmed shrubs and no remaining work for you.
Trimming maintains existing size/shape through light cutting of new growth—regular maintenance 2-3 times yearly. Pruning is more substantial selective cutting removing entire branches to improve structure and health—done less frequently. Trimming is like haircut maintenance; pruning is like restyling or renovation work.