Is that a privet hedge (Missouri Botanical Gardens, click)? You can do a Google search for more photos to help with ID.

I've only had to deal with a privet for a short time at another residence, Beth. The boxwood that you might prefer isn't as hardy as privet (so don't go thinking that you can gain that "manicured" look :o).

As I say, I have little experience but maybe someone can do a better ID with care recommendations. Here's This Old House on privets:

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/privet-hedge

Steve

Thank you!!! I tried googling but everything looks so similar to me :/ I don't need manicured, it actually looks pretty a little out of control. It just keeps creeping further and further over so its taking over part of my lawn! Crazy! it's probably like 8ft wide between our yards. So just want to trim it back a few feet so grass grows on the other side of my tree and so it doesn't look soooooo dead inside (which you can see even see through full leaves). Buuuuuuut also don't want to kill it.

just looked at the website and it does look very similar to that in bloom too! It may not be exactly the same but if I follow trimming tips from a bush that looks so similar it should work for mine too, right? #insanelynewgardener haha