Laurel hedging (Prunus laurocerasus Rotundifolia) is a fast growing bush used widely as an evergreen hedge and valued for its dense growing habit. Glossy attractive foliage and tolerant of damp and shady positions. Laurel will reach a height of 4-5m but can easily be pruned to maintain a more formal shape. For a dense hedge plant at a distance of 1/2m centres.
Available in sizes up to 6ft (2m) so landscapers should have few problems in finding a size to suit a new hedge or as a replacement plant in an established hedge. In general container grown plants are a little quicker to establish than bare rooted, or root balled plants, however they can also be more expensive
Although not grown for its flowers the common Cherry Laurel does have them, fragrant and white in spring. Usually pruned away so we tend not to see them much. They are followed by small poisonous black berries in autumn. A few cultivars such as L.'etna' which is a smaller growing or 'compact cultivar' and 'Otto Luyken' another smaller growing plant
Growing Pruning Problems and Diseases
Laurel hedges are popular because they are tough, evergreen withstand dry conditions they are also fairly fast growing and provide a dense form of hedge useful as a screening plant. They also cope with being pruned fairly hard, they can be kept to 1-2m or left to 5m depending on need. Try pruning so that the hedge tapers in a little at the top, remember to remove all of the pruned material, including the leaves to prevent disease problems. Watch for aphids and powdery mildew
Laurel Hedges will grow in part shade to full sun and are easily pruned to make a nice formal tall hedge. Sold are bare rooted plants, root balled and as potted plants.
Laurel Hedging can be grown in a container, with some limitations. As it is fast growing it can quickly 'outgrow' a container, and although its growth will be a little restricted it will perform satisfactorily for a number of years. You will need to prune container grown plants to keep them at a reasonable size.
Laurel Hedging Problems
As with many plants the problem of yellow foliage on Laurel hedging is an indication that the plants are under stress. Some stress factors include
- over watering or water logged soil
- dry conditions
- mineral deficiency, often iron or magnesium
When to Prune Laurel Hedging
Laurel hedging is generally forgiving when it come to pruning, however it is best not to prune them in autumn in the UK. The pruning will encourage new growth and this is tender and susceptible to damage from cold and frosts. So spring to early summer is the best time to prune. Pruning in late summer will help keep plants at a smaller size.
Laurel Hedging Growth rate
This will depend on a number of factors including soil and aspect. Also pruning time can slow down growth rate, late summer will slow growth rate a little. As a guideline Laurel hedging will grow at a rate of around .5m (18 inches) a year, more in good conditions, less in poor conditions
Laurel hedging should be planted at around .5 - .7m (18 - 24 inches) if you wish to create a good dense tightly knit hedge.
Prunus laurocerasus rotundifolia is a tough evergreen hedge that will reach well over 4m and is easily pruned. Well suited to drier areas.
More Hedging Plants for the UK including a wide range of hedging styles suitable for hedges in almost any situation, hedging plants include low and tall growing plants, hedging plants for shade and sun as well as flowering, fast growing and slow growing hedges.
Laurel Hedges and Hedging Plants for Sale online in the UK
HEDGES DIRECT Ltd - Phone 01257 263873
Five Acres Nursery Dawbers Lane Euxton PR7 6EE
Huge range of beautiful hedging plants, bare root, cell grown, pot grown, or root balled. All the main hedging species in all sizes. Thousands of satisfied customers. Discounts on large orders. Min order value ¬£20 & FREE DELIVERY on orders over ¬£50. Advice by phone or email firstname.lastname@example.org
BEST 4 HEDGING Ltd
269 Southport Road, Leyland PR26 8LQ Tel 01257 261243
Buy Direct from the Growers - FREE delivery over ¬£50.
Huge discounts on orders over ¬£300. Privet, Yew, Escallonia, Griselinia, Laurel, Beech, Hawthorn, Box, Hornbeam, Lavender, Holly, Lonicera, Photinia, Thuja and many others - plants from 30cm to 3m plus.
Free Green Lane, Peover Superior, Knustford, Cheshire, WA16 9QY
Phone: 01565 722836, Fax: 01565 723954
Hedging, topiary shapes and much more. Nationwide delivery available.
ASHRIDGE TREES Limited
Grove Cross Barn, Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7NJ
Tel.: +44 (0) 1963 359444 Fax: +44 (0) 1963 359445
MILL FARM TREES
Bury Mill Farm, Bury, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1NN - Tel: 01798 831008
Hedging plants to gardeners, farms and estates. Privet, beech, blackthorn, guelder rose, hornbeam & yew.
WEASEDALE NURSERIES Ltd
Newbiggin on Lune, KIRKBY STEPHEN, Cumbria, CA17 4LX UK Telephone +44 (0)15396 23246
Mail-order specialists and growers of bare-root hardy trees and shrubs since 1950.
C G J MATHIAS & SON (Nurseries)
Black Lake, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2BH - Tel: 01252 714552 Fax: 01252 7111382
Evergreen hedging, Laurel, Leylandii, Castlewellan Gold, Taxus, Thuya and Box hedging. Larger sizes upto 9ft.
HOPES GROVE GARDEN NURSERIES
The Estate Office, Smallhythe Road Tenterden, Kent TN30 7LT - Telephone: 01580 765600
Wide range on hedges & plants available online. Selling trees and scrubs mail order for over 15 years.
CHEW VALLEY TREES
Winford Road Chew Magna Bristol BS40 8HJ - Tel: 01275 333 752
Specimen & ornamental bare root & container grown trees, shrubs, hedging and fruit trees. Wholesale / Retail .