OMG why! Plant something that looks good without butchering. To post you picks, just comment and post.

I don't understand your comment? Im asking about pruning a bush that likes pruning and takes well to it. Not sure what is omg about it.

NO, I have had wax leaf . They do not need to be pruned like a hedge!

No photos. I am not going to comment anymore.

Yes please stop none of your comments have been helpful or relevant.

Sunshine is well suited to growing as a hedge. But without the pictures we can't advise on your pruning.

If you could do pictures someone would have some helpful insights.

This site shows it planted as in informal unclipped hedge and the next as more clipped. It seems to like a more informal look with bits sticking out here and there. Where ever you trim it will make more branching. I put the plant name, hedge in google and looked at images to see what people are doing with it.

https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/sunshine-ligustrum-shrub

https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/sunshine-ligustrum-shrub

Thank you both for the info. I have the pics posted and hit submit but nothing happens. Let me try from a different device.

Did you use the camera icon? You can't just paste pix in the body of the text.

I can take more if needed those pics aren't the best. But basically I'm trying to connect the 3 sunshine privets as some type of hedge, but I can't let it grow too tall or it blocks the spruce in the back. Trying for a layered look. Orange rocket barberry in the front.

The top of the sunshine plant is wider than the base which I have read isn't ideal, so I guess I'm looking for any suggestions on how to reign these in. Thanks again for any feedback!

I don't really see the purpose of a hedge in that position. But possibly I have a different understanding of what a hedge is. What you have seems to be a small group of shrubs, not a row as far as I can see. With so few plants and in that situation I think they'd be better grown in their natural shape. To get that they need to be pruned, not by clipping them over, which leads to twiggy top growth, but by proper pruning. To be honest I think I'd cut them to the ground and let them start again.

Thanks for the reply. It may be hard to tell but there are 4 barberrys planted in somewhat of a row in front, then 3 sunshines in somewhat of a row behind those and then the spruce in the back burmed up. It wouldn't be a long hedge.

I'm not opposed to really hacking into the sunshine kind of like you mention. That would give the bottom and middle of the plant better chances to fill in.

My main concern would be if the plant could handle being cut down that much but it sounds like you think it would be okay? If so I may just bite the bullet and do that.

And you've already been alot of help so if you dont want to elaborate no problem, but what do you mean by proper pruning vs clipped over? I just did some light trimming today is that more clipping over? And cutting it much further down more would be more pruning? Going to go look on google now too thanks again.

Do you have the space to plant two more? Making it into a airy hedgerow? I think you can take off a little more.

Clipping is cutting off stray bits and pieces that stick out from the shape you want. Pruning is cutting larger branches to change the shape of the bush.

Look at renewal pruning, pruning ornamental shrubs, pruning for a hedge. Check when it is best to prune for regrowth for your specific plant. They give diagrams of bushes and where to cut. You may need to only cut down to about half from the top to encourage the correct shape. Evaluate the branching at the bottom to see if it will be full enough.

Sorry for the delay. It's been night time over here:-)

To me what you have is a shrub border rather than a hedge but I think that is a cultural and nomenclature thing

frankielynnsie is exactly right about the pruning. Ligustrum are very amenable to hard pruning. The privets are top heavy because they've been persistently trimmed on top rather than properly shaped. If you want to see the spruce I'd let it grow more naturally rather than turning it into a mushroom. The privets are not low shrubs and it'll be a constant job to try and keep them small.

Get hold of Cass Turnbulls book on pruning either from the library or used online. Very clear instructions on types of pruning and timing for different shrubs and trees. You didn’t ask but for the sake of the movement I must mention that (at least in my area) both privet and barberry are some of the most aggressive invasives one could plant. You won’t notice because they revert to green when they spread.

That's an interesting idea Stacey. I initially didn't think there would be room for more, but I can maybe squeeze two more 2.5qt one's in there. I took a couple more pics from the front view to give a better idea on spacing.

View from up top.

I haven't done any trimming of the spruce it's just still a youngster. I plan on just letting it grow as is for the most part.

Also thank you for the book suggestion kitasei I'll check that out today too. I read that late February is a good time for pruning of these so I think I am okay on the timing.

I think I'm going to go ahead and really prune them down more and attempt to give them a little bit better shape and now I know I just need to stay ontop of it better moving forward.

IMO, for what you are trying to do, the ligustrums are the wrong plant. They want to be very large and you want them to remain reasonably low. It's not a match. The only way they could remain as low as you want them to be is by coppicing -- a technique where they are cut to the ground annually, and only one-year's growth is evident throughout the seasons. Over time, they thicken up and can look good, while never getting too tall. (BTW, after cutting, the new growth pops up rapidly on account of the established root system.) The alternative would be to plant something that stays lower on its own, such as one of the smaller Spiraeas.

The latest pictures provide a lot of new information. Yard is right. The privets are too big for the purpose you want them to fulfil. Unless, that is, you are prepared to cut them back a couple of times a year. The Berberis too are going get tall. I'm not a conifer person at all but is your spruce a cultivar which will ever get tall enough to be seen over the privets?

Thanks again. Man, the thought of starting over in the middle sucks but I understand what you all are saying. When I was trying to decide on a yellow I was also strongly considering a Gold Mop Cypress or something similar. Sounds like I should have gone that route and maybe I'll just have to do that.