How quickly does a laurel hedge grow?
Here are the expected growth rates for the different types: Laurel, Bay – slow growing – 15/30cm per year. Laurel, Caucasica – fast growing – 30/60cm per year. Laurel, Common – fast growing – 30/60cm per year. Portuguese laurel can reach heights of 15-20m with a typical hedge height of 1. This means that without regular pruning and management, Portuguese laurel hedges can quickly grow larger than intended. Cherry laurel, on the other hand, can achieve heights of 25-40 feet with a spread of 15-25 feet.Fast Growth: Many species, such as Cherry Laurel and Portuguese Laurel, grow quickly, making them excellent for hedges and screens. Low Maintenance: Once established, these shrubs or trees require minimal care, thriving with occasional pruning and watering.If planting a new hedge we recommend a smaller plant, usually 2-3ft tall at a spacing of 3 per metre so 13 inches apart. If a larger mature instant laurel hedge is required, our bushy laurel plants are available from 4ft to 6ft in height and roughly 80-90 cm in width and therefore should be planted a meter apart.English laurel (or Cherry Laurel) can make an enormous fast-growing hedge. Under the right conditions, it can grow up to 3 feet per year!
When should you not cut a laurel hedge?
Laurel hedges can technically be trimmed at any time; the main advice we can offer is to try and avoid trimming Laurel in the coldest months of the year as the cut edges can be susceptible to frost damage. Laurel can be trimmed or pruned to the height you require and, if it grows too big, it can be cut back as hard as you like – right back to the stump if necessary – and it will re-grow quickly into a new hedge.To prune laurel to encourage growth, we’d recommend trimming the branches and cutting them back several times a year (depending on how fast it grows) by up to a quarter. This makes the bush come back bushier and thicker than before more rapidly.We only prune our laurel hedge once a year and it keeps it tidy and dense. On a note of caution, watch out for nesting birds from May until July, as it is illegal to disturb them. Don’t prune your hedge if it is very hot and dry at the time.How long does it take for laurel hedging to grow? Any hedge will require the right conditions to thrive. If conditions are favourable then you can expect a hedge growth rate of around two feet per year with laurel plants.To lend a helping hand and encourage Laurel to grow faster, plant them in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Water them regularly, especially during dry spells, and apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring.
Will laurel grow back if cut down?
Laurel can be trimmed or pruned to the height you require and, if it grows too big, it can be cut back as hard as you like – right back to the stump if necessary – and it will re-grow quickly into a new hedge. Pruning is an important part of cherry laurel hedge maintenance, as it helps to promote bushier growth, maintain a desired shape and prevent the hedge (and root system) from becoming too large. With regular pruning you can keep your cherry laurel’s growth in check.
Is a laurel hedge a good idea?
When it comes to finding an evergreen hedge that’s easy to look after and maintain, Planting a Laurel Hedge is a very popular choice. The best hedging plants are usually the ones that grow well in most conditions with minimal problems and ease of maintenance. Note that the most effective noise-blocking plant-life are large evergreen broadleaf trees and bushes. This is because they provide year-round noise reduction and absorb the most sound. Holly trees and holly shrubs can be a great option. Hollies are glossy, dark-green evergreen trees that are ideal sound barriers.The best hedging plants to reduce noise and pollution are the evergreen species although leaf retaining Beech and Hornbeam can also be effective.