What are the pros and cons of Portuguese Laurel?
Portuguese laurel has some benefits for wildlife, providing nesting habitats for birds, flowers for pollinators and berries for birds and small mammals. It’s important to note that Portuguese laurel leaves and seeds contain toxic compounds and should not be ingested by humans or pets. 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.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 ideal time to prune your Portuguese Laurel is in late spring or early summer, after the plant has finished flowering. This timing allows the Portuguese Laurel plants to recover and grow vigorously during the warmer months. However, light pruning can be done throughout the year to remove dead or damaged branches.
What’s better, cherry laurel or Portuguese Laurel?
Differing growth rates between these two laurels can significantly impact your garden maintenance routine. The Portuguese laurel grows at a moderately slower pace than the cherry laurel. This slower growth rate allows for easier management of hedge size and density through planned pruning. 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.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.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.Prunus lusitanica, the Portuguese laurel cherry or Portugal laurel, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family Rosaceae, native to the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco, the Macaronesian archipelagos, and the French Basque Country.
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 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. If you live in an area with a cold winter, it’s best to wait until the spring to plant your hedge.Ideally, the best times for pruning Laurel Hedges are in Spring, before the growth in the Summer, or in Autumn, leaving enough time for the damaged branches to heal before the Winter kicks in.Plant a deciduous hedge in mid-autumn to late winter. Plant an evergreen hedge in autumn. Delay planting if the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Avoid planting under existing trees – shade and lack of water will restrict growth.The majority of laurel hedging isn’t going to have a root system large enough to damage homes and other properties. As long as your hedge is kept at a fair height, there shouldn’t be an issue with laurel roots. However, we would always recommend against planting a laurel hedge right up to an external wall of a house.Laurel Hedges are one of the most responsive species to the major surgery of hedge restoration. Even hedges that appear to be hopelessly overgrown can be drastically reduced in size, and the unpromising woody stems will sprout with new foliage.
Do Portuguese Laurels have invasive roots?
Portugal Laurel or Portuguese Laurel is a large evergreen bushy shrub that makes a very effective hedge or screen when kept clipped from 1-4 metres. With an inoffensive root system, frost hardy foliage and the ability to withstand harsh dry conditions, it the perfect plant for any troublesome garden. Water your Laurel Regularly We recommend that in the summer months you water: every 2 days if the soil is very dry and / or sandy.Generally, an overwatered Bay laurel will have yellowing leaves and may even drop some leaves. Also, overwatering can cause the overall structure of your plant to shrivel and may also promote root rot.The biggest problem with Laurel is that it grows far too fast for modern small gardens and causes all year round shade. It’s a terrible plant in many ways and people should avoid it.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.
Do laurels like sun or shade?
Do laurel prefer sun or shade? Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) are probably the best hedging plants to grow in shade. They tolerate shade well and are often planted under tree canopies in large estate gardens. All types of laurel will also grow well in full sun. 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.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.Most hedges will grow back if cut properly. Species like privet, hornbeam, yew, and boxwood tolerate hard pruning and often come back denser than before. But not all plants handle it well. If the hedge has no lower leaves or the branches are old and woody, it may take a long time to regrow—or not recover at all.Laurel Hedges are one of the most responsive species to the major surgery of hedge restoration. Even hedges that appear to be hopelessly overgrown can be drastically reduced in size, and the unpromising woody stems will sprout with new foliage.Once established, cherry laurel is a relatively low-maintenance plant. While it is establishing, water regularly through dry spells, particularly in summer. Avoid overwatering, as cherry laurel does not tolerate waterlogged soil.
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. Cherry Laurel is especially famous for its berries, which, when mature, might tempt the eye with their glossy black appearance. However, they contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when chewed and digested. This makes them particularly dangerous, not only to humans but also to pets and wildlife.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.