Particularly when it comes to a hedge, people often shy away from trimming it and cutting it back. But that's exactly what you should do if you want an opaque hedge.
It hurts sometimes, but you'll find out very quickly that it's just the right thing for your hedge. Just as you do with solitary bushes to stimulate growth, you also cut back the hedge heavily every year.
Cut off side shoots
Particularly thin and narrow side shoots and shoots that grow individually upwards must be radically cut off. It may look a bit ugly after the cut, but the hedge will thank you. It will soon sprout again and grow bushier together. It quickly becomes opaque and also consumes less water after pruning. The reason: Where fewer leaves have to be cared for, less water is required.
Cut half
A pruning of young plants can make up to two thirds of the shoots. But you should cut at least half.