Is Bay Laurel a good hedge?
The Bay Laurel, Laurus nobilis makes an excellent bushy evergreen hedging plant, especially near the coast and its aromatic leaves will always be welcome in the kitchen. A great hedge, shrub or topiary specimen that needs a warm and sunny spot. Bay Laurel hedging is an excellent choice for adding beauty and privacy to our gardens. These evergreen plants not only bring a pleasing smell but also create an attractive greenery that can enhance any landscape design.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.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.
Is laurel hedge poisonous to touch?
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. Note: Although bay laurel leaves are safe when used in small quantities, they may be toxic to horses, dogs, and cats. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.Bay Laurel It’s a bit of an exception in that its leaves are actually edible for humans — but we wouldn’t recommend ingesting the berries as the seeds within them are considered to be mildly toxic.Bay Laurel However, the leaves, bark, and berries are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with younger leaves being more toxic than mature ones. The rate of poisoning is also dependent on the size of the animal, so smaller pets and mammals are at a higher risk of toxicity.Bay leaves are NOT dangerous to eat. This is an extremely common myth but holds no merit. It is believed that this myth began because there are leaves that look strikingly similar to the bay leaf (mountain laurel and cherry laurel leaves) that are poisonous to humans and animals.
Does bay laurel grow quickly?
Bay Laurel has a slow to moderate growth rate, typically growing 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) per year under ideal conditions. 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.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 hedges vary in growth, and depending on the species, they have the ability to grow between 15-60cm per year. 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.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.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.
What are the disadvantages of laurel hedges?
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. 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.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.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.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.
How big do Bay Laurel hedges get?
Though classified as a tree, its slow growth allows for easy maintenance as a shrub at the desired size. Over time, it can reach up to 15 feet tall and wide. How big does Bay Laurel grow? It can grow 10 to 30 feet tall if left unpruned, but it’s easily kept to 4 to 6 feet in containers or as a tidy hedge. They can also be found in the southwestern corner of Oregon. California bay laurels can grow in full sun or partial shade, and occupy a diverse variety of habitats, from humid coastal forests to dry shrublands. The largest California bay laurels take root on floodplains and in areas with nearby water sources.The true bay leaf, also known as bay laurel or sweet bay, is sourced from the tree Laurus nobilis, a native of the Mediterranean region.Bay Laurel trees thrive in areas with well-drained soil and full sun to light shade and will be happy indoors for months at a time. If you live near the beach, no problem! Bay Laurel is moderately tolerant of drought and salt.
Is Bay Laurel poisonous to dogs?
Bay Trees, also referred to as Sweet Bay, Laurel Tree, or Tree Laurel (Scientific Name: Laurus nobilis), have leaves and berries that are toxic to dogs and cats due to the presence of eugenol and other essential oils in the plant. The wood from this tree is commercially used in cabinetry, furniture, paneling, and interior trim. Leaves of the California bay laurel have been used by people to get rid of head lice and to discourage fleas. Scientists now think that dusky-footed woodrats use the aromatic leaves to keep fleas out of their nests.