Here's the after.

that's a buzz cut!

Ha

I can sympathize... we had to do that to our boxwoods so the ladder could be placed for gutter work... they did come back but it looked weird for quite awhile.

Me too. I had to 'bite the bullet' and do that to my youpon holly hedge to shorten and level it. I gave it a little extra fertilizer and it wasn't long until it leafed out beautifully. I really don't remember how long, maybe 6 weeks or so.

In the long run you are better off cutting shrubs back at least 6" past where you want them eventually. Looking at your's I would take them back quite a bit more to asure they arn't overgrowing walk again before filling in.

Klem I thought about that.,,,

roselee what fertilizer