How far apart should I plant Laurels?
How far apart should I plant laurel plants to form a 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. 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.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.Depending on the species, laurel hedges grow between 15-60cm per year, but if your laurel isn’t growing quick enough for your garden, there are some ways you can speed up the process.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.Generally speaking, we recommend planting most evergreen shrubs at a distance of 1-4 plants per metre (25-100cm) apart. Planting 25cm apart will allow the hedges to fill in the space quicker, but you will see just as much success if planting 50-100cm apart in the long run.
What makes Laurels grow faster?
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. How Long does Cherry Laurel Take to Grow? Cherry Laurel typically grows between 30 and 60cm per year, which is relatively fast. It has an ultimate height of up to 8 metres. If left untrimmed, the hedging will reach this height in around 20-50 years.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.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!
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. The best time of year to plant laurel hedging is in the spring or autumn. This is because the ground is still warm enough for the hedge to get off to a good start, but it’s not too hot or cold so the plants won’t suffer.Regular pruning helps to keep the hedge looking its best by removing dead or diseased branches, encouraging new growth and shaping the overall shape of the hedge. Pruning also helps to promote air circulation within the foliage which can help prevent disease from spreading throughout the laurel plant.What are the disadvantages of Portuguese Laurel? The slow growth rate of Portuguese Laurel may be a disadvantage as it takes time to establish a mature hedge. Additionally, regularly pruning Laurel is necessary to maintain its shape and density.Late spring or early summer is the best time to trim most hedges including laurel and leylandii hedges. You can prune a laurel hedge with secateurs – which is not as labour-intensive as it sounds – or with a hedgetrimmer.Regular side pruning can help shape the laurel hedge and promote a denser hedge and increase vertical growth.
How to thicken a laurel hedge?
Pruning: Regular pruning is essential for thickening a laurel hedge. Prune the hedge annually or as needed to remove any leggy or sparse growth. Concentrate on selectively pruning the tips of branches to encourage lateral branching and stimulate new growth. Late spring, early fall, or winter (when the hedges are fully dormant) are the best times for pruning hedges. Don’t prune hedges during very hot, dry weather, and prune well before your first frost date.October is your last chance to trim deciduous hedges to keep them looking tidy over the winter. Climbing roses and rambling roses can be pruned now.Avoid heavy pruning in late autumn, but remove any damaged or wind-rocked branches. A light trim keeps the hedge tidy and helps prevent wind damage. Save shaping or reduction pruning for late spring once frost risk has passed. See our guide: How to Prune a Laurel Hedge.Pruning and trimming overgrown hedges is an essential gardening skill that involves removing the dead or overgrown stems, roots and branches on hedges, trees and shrubs. By trimming each year, it encourages healthier, thicker and more symmetrical growth of your plants.
Can you plant laurel hedging in October?
The best time to plant a Laurel hedge is from autumn through early spring, while the soil is warm and moist but before new growth begins. Planting between October and March allows roots to establish naturally with minimal watering. When is the Best Time To Cut Or Trim a Laurel Hedge? Late spring or early summer is the best time to trim most hedges including laurel and leylandii hedges.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.