How big do skip laurels get?
Skip laurels grow to around 10–18 feet tall and 5–7 feet wide, at a moderate rate of roughly 24 inches per year. Their dense foliage is glossy green year-round, and fragrant white blossoms bloom in spring. In fall and winter, Skip laurel trees produce red berries that attract songbirds. One of the appealing aspects of Skip Cherry Laurel is its relatively fast growth rate, typically growing 2 to 3 feet per year until maturity. This rapid development makes it an excellent choice for those who desire quick results in landscape design.Laurels fill a unique void for fast-growing, broadleaf evergreen hedge plants. They make excellent privacy screens that can be grown really to any height desired. They add beautiful texture and respond very well to heavy pruning.English laurels and Schip laurels grow very fast, increasing by 1-2 feet per year in the right growing conditions. The main difference is that English laurel plant will grow up and out rapidly, while the Schip laurel grows mainly straight up and stays quite narrow.Laurel, Common – fast growing – 30/60cm per year. Laurel, Compact – slow growing – 10/20cm per year. Laurel, Etna – moderate growing – 20/40cm per year.Schip laurel is a popular choice for narrow spaces needing a tall, evergreen privacy hedge. It does not grow as fast or as wide as its parent, English laurel, and it has much darker foliage. Schip laurel also tolerates more shade and colder temperatures, although they are both listed as hardy to USDA Zone 6.
What to plant next to skip laurel?
Companion plants need to have growing requirements similar to those of Schip Laurel. Shrubs like Japanese Andromeda, clethra, weigela, spiraea, abelia, and Nandina can be grown in sun or light shade and provide a colorful contrast against the dark green leaves. Be sure to cut your hedge back tight each time, to maintain a lovely dense and bushy hedge and don’t be frightened of being hard on it! 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.Laurel hedging is a highly popular, low-maintenance evergreen hedge plant that is great for creating a private space in your garden, or to simply add some all year round interest. Laurel hedging is perfect for UK gardens, as they thrive in our temperate climate making it an ideal choice for a new hedge.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.
What’s the difference between skip laurel and cherry laurel?
Skip laurel is a variety of cherry laurel, with the primary difference being leaf size and shrub size. Skip laurel is an evergreen shrub that is smaller than Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). Compared to a cherry laurel, skip laurel has smaller leaves that are more pointed and lance-shaped than cherry laurel leaves. Prunus laurocerasus, commonly known as Cherry Laurel, is a versatile evergreen shrub or tree. It features glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers in spring. This plant thrives in various soil types and is often used for hedges, screens, or as a foundation plant. It’s hardy and low-maintenance.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.Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a strong, fast growing, dense shrub with dark green leathery leaves up to 15cm in length making it ideal for supplying privacy to your garden.Bay laurel is typically grown as a tree that can reach staggering heights upwards of 50-feet; it also works incredibly well as a container plant that moves between your outdoor and indoor spaces, or is kept indoors year-round.
Is skip laurel a good hedge?
It is a stellar option for creating a narrow evergreen privacy hedge for a variety of climates. Schip laurel tolerates many different soil types and its relatively quick growth makes it easy to maintain without much of a fuss. Based on its dense and glossy leaves, Cherry Laurel is highly recommended for hedging as it effectively acts as a privacy screen and reduces wind and noise passing through.Be sure to cut your hedge back tight each time, to maintain a lovely dense and bushy hedge and don’t be frightened of being hard on it! 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.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.All types of laurel should be planted between 2 and 3 feet (60-90cm) apart. If you want a quick screen then plant your laurel hedging plants at 2ft apart but if you are willing to wait a bit longer, you will get just as dense a hedge by planting at 3ft apart. Often a good compromise is 2’6″ apart.
Are skip laurel berries poisonous?
Laurel berries are part of the plant, Prunus laurocerasus (aka laurel plant). Technically, the berry contains a toxin, called a cyanogenic toxin. This is potentially capable of producing cyanide which is toxic to the body. The good news is that in small amounts this is not a problem. Consuming even a small amount of the laurel plant can lead to serious problems for cats. The exact symptoms your cat exhibits will vary, however, some of the most common signs of laurel poisoning include: Vomiting. Diarrhea.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.So, is laurel toxic to dogs? Unfortunately yes – very much so. If your pooch has ingested any part of the plant, you should get to a vet immediately. Laurel plants contain a neurotoxin called grayanotoxin.Cherry Laurel Risks Escaped cherry laurel plants are spreading from landscapes into natural areas and neglected sites. A dense stand of cherry laurel displaces and excludes desirable forest understory plants. All parts of the plant are toxic to people, pets, and wildlife.
How to make skip laurels grow faster?
Water your Laurel Regularly As obvious as it sounds, your laurel may not be growing fast enough due to lack of water. If your laurel shrub is new, you should be regularly watering particularly in its first year of growth. 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.How fast do Skip Laurels grow? Skip Laurel Trees grow about 2 feet each year, reaching their mature height at around 10 years of age.They require a slow-release fertilizer. Pruning: Skip laurel trees do not require pruning, but they respond well to it. If you decide to prune, do it in spring after the tree has flowered or early summer.
Is skip laurel toxic to dogs?
With the exception of Bay Laurel, the short answer is yes. All other Laurel hedging varieties (including berries) are poisonous to both humans and animals. Laurel hedge plants produce hydrocyanic acid which can cause serious complications if ingested. Spotted Laurel stands out not just for its leaves but also for its red berries, which are toxic to both humans and animals. While its pretty and vibrant berries can be deceiving, they contain alkaloids that can cause stomach pain if ingested.Laurel is considered a non-toxic plant, widely used as flavorings. Conversely, cherry laurel leaves, morphologically similar to those of laurel, contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides.Mountain laurel is UNSAFE for people to take by mouth. It can cause many side effects such as pain, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness, dizziness, headache, fever, loss of vision, muscle weakness, serious heart and lung problems, death, and other severe side effects.Laurels can be easily shaped into various styles like topiary, pom-pom topiary, or a pleated hedge. Many laurels produce sweet-scented flowers that are a favourite of bees. Cons: * Be cautious as the berries produced by laurels can be toxic to children and pets if not removed.With the exception of Bay Laurel, the short answer is yes. All other Laurel hedging varieties (including berries) are poisonous to both humans and animals. Laurel hedge plants produce hydrocyanic acid which can cause serious complications if ingested.