How big do Otto Luyken laurels get?
Otto Luyken’ cherry laurel is a compact evergreen shrub that grows to 3 to 4 feet tall and spreads to 6 to 8 feet. Over time, it can grow 6 to 10 feet tall. It has upright stems, dark green glossy leaves, and fragrant, small, creamy white, cup-shaped flowers that are arranged in 3- to 6-inch-long racemes. The leaves of the cherry laurel do not fall off in winter, as is the case with deciduous trees, but nevertheless, brown and withered leaves tend to appear on the shrub. Most often, these are diseased parts of the plant or those damaged by frost or pruning.Low maintenance and easy to grow cherry laurel is incredibly hardy and adaptable. It thrives in a variety of soil types, tolerates drought once established, and can handle both full sun and partial shade. It also requires minimal trimming—just one or two prunings per year—to keep it looking neat and tidy.Laurel hedging can be cut back quite far, as long as you avoid doing so in the winter months when frost can damage the plant if there are newly cut edges.Cherry Laurel’s rapid growth and ability to thrive in the shade or drought means that it will quickly overtake other plants, and shade out native trees, taking away from their habitats and causing big problems for our ecosystems.
How do you care for Otto Luyken laurel?
This plant lives its best life when grown in full sun but also may enjoy partial shade. In hotter climates it will appreciate some shade so keep that in mind. The Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel has a wide variety of tolerances including dry or poor soils, pollution, heavy pruning, and most urban conditions. Compact Laurel, Laurel Etna and Cherry Laurel thrive in well-drained, dry sites, whereas Spotted Laurel & Laurel ‘Caucasica’ grow particularly well in moist and wet soils. All our Laurel hedging will develop adequately in either dry or damp conditions.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.Mountain laurel will grow in USDA Zones 5 to 9 in deep shade to full sun, but it does best in moderate to partial shade. In deep shade it won’t produce as many flowers and can become spindly. Too-bright sun can cause scorching of the leaves.Laurel, Common – fast growing – 30/60cm per year. Laurel, Compact – slow growing – 10/20cm per year. Laurel, Etna – moderate growing – 20/40cm per year.
What is the difference between skip laurel and Otto Luyken?
Otto Luyken Laurel is a smaller, dwarf variety that matures around 3–4 feet tall, while Schip Laurel (Schipkaensis) grows taller—typically 10–12 feet—and is often used for larger hedges or screens. Both are shade-tolerant, deer-resistant evergreens, but their uses differ depending on the scale of the planting. Otto Luyken Laurel has a moderate growth rate of 6–10 inches per year, making it easier to control than faster-growing hedge shrubs. Over time, it fills in beautifully to create a dense evergreen screen or hedge without requiring constant trimming.Once your Laurel hedge is established we would recommend an annual feed early in the spring with a balanced fertiliser such as ‘Growmore’, this is very beneficial to a Laurel hedge if applied at the same time as a mulch (a layer moisture retaining material like bark chippings, lawn mowings or garden compost).
What is the problem with Schip laurel?
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Skip Laurel, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests. Autumn Planting (Late September to November) Early Growth: Come spring, laurels planted in the fall will have already developed strong roots and can put their energy into above-ground growth.How Long does Cherry Laurel Take to Grow? Cherry Laurel typically grows between 30 and 60cm per year, which is relatively fast.Once you’ve planted your laurel hedging plants, you need to make sure they get enough water to keep them alive and growing well. Usually plants only need watering from March to October. During the winter months, they use less water and normally get enough from the rain.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.
What is the downside of cherry laurel?
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is generally considered a tough evergreen but its leaves can be affected by diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spot fungi and bacterial shothole. Affected plants or hedges look unsightly. The glycosides present in Laurel means it releases cyanide if its leaves are crushed, broken, or cut, but this shouldn’t be an issue for humans in small doses and outdoor areas. The cyanide toxins can be absorbed through the skin via physical contact, but are also airborne and can be inhaled.
What are common problems with laurel bushes?
Laurel plants make excellent hedge options since they are hardy, fast-growing, and evergreen. However, laurel hedge problems can arise if pests or diseases take hold of the plants. Common laurel hedge pests include vine weevil, aphids, thrips, lacebugs, scale insects, and caterpillars. The other main problem that can afflict Laurel hedging plants is frost damage, which can take effect in autumn, winter or spring. Damage in the autumn is often caused by sharp early frosts and is limited to soft late growth, which turns black and shrivelled.Apart from the Bay Laurel (which needs to have full sun), all other Laurel hedging varieties are very versatile plants, good for both sunny or shady areas.Overwatering and poor drainage Laurel hedges need well-drained soil to thrive; otherwise, poor drainage can lead to issues like root rot and yellowing leaves. If the soil stays waterlogged, the roots can suffocate, causing stress to the plant and even leading to its death.As stated above, bare-root laurel needs to be planted from November to March, before the spring and summer. However, container grown laurel hedging can be planted year round.