Our back yard is surrounded by a mature Escallonia Fradesii hedge that's about 7 ft tall and 5 ft thick. I planted it about ten years ago. I've kept it clipped, but over time its gradually become too thick and is encroaching too far into the yard. Since it backs on a neighbor's solid fence, its also unbalanced and leaning inward. I want to cut it back by about 24 inches on the exposed side, which will expose a barren interior of twigs and branches. I'm assuming the bare inside branches will respond and fill out with foliage in a few months. Am I wrong? Should I wait until next spring?