Often a good compromise is 2'6″ apart. English laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a tall tree or shrub with an oval growth habit that makes it an excellent hedge. Laurel is one of the easiest hedge plants to grow, it is hardy, dense and resistant to most threats. When you grow a Laurel hedge from cuttings, you will need to decide how far apart you want to space the plants. All types of laurel should be planted between 2 and 3 feet (60-90cm) apart. Laurel is an excellent choice for a fast growing evergreen hedge or screen. Prepare the ground in advance - clear all weeds at least 30cms on both sides of the proposed hedgeline. This shade-loving shrub produces clusters of rose, pink, or white flowers with purple markings in late May to early June. Stake the plant near the base of the trunk (approx 12 to 18 inches or 30 - 45cm from the ground) with the stake driven in at a 45 degree angle. Click on the links below to learn more about the individual varieties of laurel hedging. Laurel . If the soil is poor or difficult it is worth adding Rootgrow to the bottom of the hole as well as feed. Planting a Laurel hedge is generally straightforward but it is important to do the planting well as this will effect how quickly your hedge will grow 1. Often a good compromise is 2’6″ apart. Even in following seasons, if you water your hedging plants during the drier months, you will get more growth from them and they will 'fill in' quicker. The end of the stake that is sticking out of the ground should be facing the prevailing wind so that when the wind blows, it blows the stake into the ground rather than out of the ground. The second row … Dig a trench, then prick the sides and bottom of the trench with a garden fork so that the roots can establish. Laurel hedge plants are the nation's favourite with laurel hedging of all varieties gracing gardens throughout the UK, particularly the more popular varieties of Cherry and Portuguese Laurel. Although Laurel is more costly than other hedge plants, they will provide you with a fully developed hedge in the quickest possible time. Being evergreen and featuring a fairly dense habit, laurels are ideal for all year round leaf cover with the benefit of privacy and noise screening particularly ideal near roads and busier areas. Laurel hedges are popular for creating borders and privacy hedges. Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is one of the most popular forms of hedging. Make sure the top of the rootball is one or two inches below the top of the soil surface and not protruding above the top of the hole. Shovel the soil back into the hole and firm with your heel around the sides to make sure the rootball is firmly placed in the soil. It is best to dig a trench twice as wide as the width of the pot or rootball. Place your laurel hedge plants at the desired planting distance, and then fill the trench with the top fill, or … Red berries are occasionally produced in autumn, though both the leaves and berries can be harmful if eaten. If the soil is very heavy or very sandy, it is a good idea to add a loam-based compost or a good quality top soil to bottom of the hole to give the plant something better to root into. Laurel hedge plants are one of our best selling groups of evergreen hedging, they are easy to grow, give great privacy, look good all year round and come in a huge range of sizes. All types of laurel should be planted between 2 and 3 feet (60-90cm) apart. Decide on the planting line for your laurel hedge. Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is flowering broadleaf evergreen shrub with a multi-stemmed growth habit. Clear the area where you are going to plant the hedge. 1. Schip Laurel, Great for Hedges Portuguese Laurel. Laurel plants grow up to 10 feet in height, which can cause problems in some areas of the yard where they are shading grass or ornamental plants. Bay, Portuguese, and Cherry Laurel Hedging. Why autumn and not spring? Establishing a Laurel Hedge Once you've planted your laurel hedging plants, you need to make sure they get enough water to keep them alive and growing well. Plant your laurel in a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball. More information about instant hedging can be found here. We like the Schip Laurel for covering fences in the yard, bringing a natural aesthetic to the perimeter. Spread out the roots, ensuring the planting depth is correct. Laurel is a superb hedging plant. Clear the area where you are going to plant the hedge. www.gardenninja.co.uk the garden design blogger shows you how! This is to stop the plant rocking in the ground and breaking new roots as they are formed. The important point to note is that if the plant can get a root system into the soil quickly and easily, then it is much more likely to survive and will also grow and form a hedge quicker, so spending a little extra time on planting properly is essential for the long-term benefit of your laurel hedge. This stunning hedge is both fast-growing and easy on the eyes. Its leaves can be used to make cyanide, but don't let that put you off this perennial favourite! How far apart do you plant laurel hedging? You need to make it easy for your laurel hedge to get a good root system established. You can plant a laurel hedge at virtually any time of the year however most garden experts will agree that the best time to plant your new laurel hedge is in the autumn, especially if you are using cheaper bare-root hedging. Plant Bay Laurel anytime of the year. It is best to dig square holes about twice the width of the rootball. Laurel hedge heights are available from 1m up to 1.75m for the ultimate impact. Laurel hedges are relatively easy to plant, but it is important to get it right as the hedge will establish itself much more quickly and successfully. This branch will now serve as the height marker for the rest of your hedges. This may be why they are often called “Cherry laurels” –cherries and plums are also Prunus species. Add extra soil to fill it in once planted and gently pack it to remove air bubbles. It is best to dig a trench twice as wide as the width of the pot or rootball. Laurel – A Complete Guide to Planting and Caring for a Laurel Hedge. Discard or compost the turf, don't put it back after planting or grass will grow up through the bottom of the hedge and compete with the foliage of the hedge. This will release feed over several months and give the plants a good start. Laurel Hedges are a unique group of plants, and they are particularly well-suited to hedging. How to plant laurel hedging. Usually plants only need watering from March to October. Remove any grass, weeds, brambles or other plants from the area where the hedge is going to be planted. Typically planting with 2-foot spacing is the rule for a dense hedge, but with a little more patience you can achieve this at 3-foot spacings. Because the soil is warmer. Propagate Laurel Using Stem Cuttings Step 1: Take the Cutting Cut 5 to 6 inches off the end of a live branch with a very sharp knife to make a cutting. Water the soil around the roots. Rootgrow is a friendly mycorrhizal fungi that works in symbiosis with the plant's roots to form a secondary root system that helps the plant get a good root system established. The cool moderate weather at this time of year, combined with making sure the roots are kept moist, will give the plants time to establish themselves; putting down new roots so that they will not be as susceptible to the hot dry weather that comes with the summer months. If you desire laurel as a hedge but live in a colder climate, Portuguese Laurel is very similar to Bay but cold hardy. First, you should clear the area, taking care to remove any weeds, grass or other plants. You should position each plant two to three feet apart, depending on how quickly you want a dense hedge to form. For hedges thicker than 90cm (3ft), plant a staggered double row 45cm (18in) apart, with plants 90cm (3ft) apart. Eyeball your laurel to figure out which branch is the tallest. Carefully place the plant in the hole. Left to grow freely, the English laurel hedge works well as a windbreak when you plant two rows of shrubs approximately 2 feet apart. If you want a thick hedge quickly, plant them two feet apart, otherwise plant them at three feet intervals. They are technically in the Prunus genus and they are not “true” laurels at all! NOTE: My thinking was to plant close together, wait to see how many survived and grew, then cut down every second one. I made an X in the plastic every six inches. Cut the highest hedge branch to set your hedge’s height. it breaks up easily) then you only need to add some controlled release feed to the bottom of the hole. Laurel plants produce clusters of fragrant white flowers in Spring that contrast well with the glossy green leaves. Initially, you should water the tree or hedge regularly to help the roots get established. The Schip Laurel does well in colder environments up to USDA Zone 6. Never allow the roots to dry out. It is also worth adding controlled release feed. Our Laurel Hedging plants for sale Do not forget to consider encroachment of the root system and branches. Click on the links below to learn more about the individual varieties of laurel hedging. Trim back damaged roots to healthy growth with sharp knife or old pair of secateurs. You will especially need to consider this if you are planting near a public footpath or bridleway. CEDAR NURSERY Prune this branch with a pair of hedge trimmers until you’re happy with the height. If the plant is more than 4ft (120cm) tall or in an windy position, you will need to stake your plants and tie them to the stake with a tree tie. Laurel hedge plants are one of our best selling groups of evergreen hedging, they are easy to grow, give great privacy, look good all year round and come in a huge range of sizes. Species Types. You can spray with a glyphosate weedkiller such as Roundup or Bayer Glyphosate. 1. For the best results, a laurel hedge should initially be planted with each plant about 3 feet (about 1 m) to 5 feet (about 1.5 m) apart, in moist, well-draining soil under full or partial sun. 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. It has beautiful spring blooms, and its elliptical, glossy deep-green leaves (resembling those of rhododendrons) and gnarled stems make it attractive in all seasons. Clear the area where you are going to plant the hedge Remove any grass, weeds, brambles or other plants from the area where the hedge is going to be planted. If you are planting 2ft (60cm) apart, it is probably worth digging a trench as it is easier to keep digging along rather than starting new holes. The cuttings should be trimmed of all leaves except the top three or four. If you have good quality soil (i.e. Surrey KT11 3JX. 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. In this video, Morris talks you through the Laurel Hedging Plant. Establishing a hedge: Keep the hedge sufficiently well-watered. For pot grown and cell grown plants, the trench needs to be about twice as wide as the pots/root structures. You might need to transplant your laurel hedge to increase sunlight in some areas. Remove any grass, weeds, brambles or other plants from the area where the hedge is going to be planted. Bay Laurel will thrive in full sun or partial shade. Laurel Hedging – The Best Laurel Hedging Guide. Cherry Laurel hedging, also commonly known as Common Laurel, is one of our best selling hedging species, securing the top spot in our top 10 hedging plants.The foliage, growth habit and ability to handle a variety of different planting positions are just a few of the components that make Prunus Laurocerasus Rotundifolia such a popular hedging plant, and we have plenty more below… As above, make sure the soil in the bottom of the trench is broken up so the plant roots can get into the soil without a problem. Dig the holes to the depth of the rootball plus an inch or two more. How to plant. If the flowers are not deadheaded, nondescri… It is really important to break up the soil in the bottom of the hole to at least another spade/fork depth so the roots can get into the soil easily. This guide shows how to successfully plant a hedge in your garden. Place your laurel hedge plants at the desired planting distance, and then fill the trench with the top fill, or ideally, high quality compost. We cannot dig plants out of the soil once the plants start growing again in late spring so we pot thousands of Laurel plants up during the winter and early spring so they have a good root system established in the pot for planting during the late spring and summer months. During the winter months, they use less water and normally get enough from the rain. Since most laurels can grow this spacing distance in just a year, it will only take a year or two to get a dense-looking, flowering hedgerow. http://www.KillarneyGardenCentre.com Learn how to plant Laurel hedging- Prunus laurocerasus. 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