HELP!!!
I have an overgrown cedar hedge that to make balanced with the neighbours side- he trims his regularly - would need to have about 18" taken off it. I know if I do this it will be ugly for about two years or so while it recovered.

My question is this: can I cut it back gradually, say a couple of inches a year to try and maintain some green or is the only solution a major cut back???

I'd say take the plunge and then fertilize the heck out of it to boost some new foliage........if you try to only do a couple of inches a year, you'll never catch up! Maybe you will be surprised how quickly it will grow back.......or you could wait until fall and do the chopping then! Good luck!