Garden

There is NO plant that has plumb sides. And when we try to make them so. We are making an irreversible mistake that will end up leaving the bottom part of the shrub bare. (fig D4)

If you want a formal style hedge that is square with the ground then you must compromise a little and be sure that the lower portion comes out further than the top about at least a 15 degree angle depending on the sun exposure (Fig D1&2)

(if the side of the shrub has a southern exposure with little or no shading than you may be able to keep a near 90 degree angle but if the exposure is to the north you need at least a 23 degree angle to allow sun to get to the lower branches.) Formal hedges have their place in a formal garden but even at Versailles the greatest Garden in the world. I noticed that the formal plants were pruned into shapes that followed their natural form and there were many areas of the gardens that were quite soft and natural.
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