Cherry Laurel Hedge Plants (Prunus laurocerasus)

What is a cherry laurel hedge?

Cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus, is a large-leaved evergreen shrub that forms a thick, leafy hedge when planted in a row. Its broad, glossy leaves remain green through winter, keeping the boundary screened even when deciduous hedges are bare. Left unclipped, plants produce upright spikes of small white flowers in spring, followed by dark fruits. Regular trimming keeps the growth dense and leafy, and it reduces flowers and fruit.

Cherry laurel works particularly well around family gardens and along boundaries where a thick green backdrop is needed throughout the year. It grows wider than a conifer hedge, so allow room for its spread and for access to trim both sides.

Why choose a cherry laurel hedge?

Cherry laurel grows quickly into a substantial evergreen hedge, with large, glossy leaves that make a leafy alternative to fencing. Its broad foliage suits traditional borders and more contemporary garden layouts alike. It grows in sun or partial shade and is hardy in most UK gardens, although exposed, cold sites can damage the foliage.

Once the branches fill out, the thick foliage helps soften some garden noise and screens neighbouring views at eye level. Cherry laurel also responds well to clipping, so its height can be controlled in smaller town gardens, provided there is enough room for the hedge's width.

How quickly does a cherry laurel hedge grow, and how tall will it get?

Once established, cherry laurel can put on around 30 to 60cm of growth a year in favourable conditions, particularly where the soil stays moist during dry spells. Without pruning, it can eventually reach 5 to 8 metres tall. Most garden hedges are kept at around 1.5 to 3 metres through regular trimming.

An untrimmed cherry laurel can also spread 4 to 6 metres across, making it important to plan for the hedge's eventual width. With regular pruning, a width of around 1 to 1.5 metres is manageable, although older, established plants may need more substantial cutting to stay within those limits.

How to use cherry laurel in your garden

A cherry laurel hedge works well as a boundary screen, a windbreak, or a green backdrop for a mixed border. In a new-build garden with little privacy, planting the available 90-120cm size gives the boundary some height straight away, with further screening developing as the plants grow and branch out. In a larger family garden, it can divide a play area from a quiet seating spot.

The 40-60cm plants in 9cm pots are a practical choice for longer hedge runs where initial cost matters. The 60-90cm and 90-120cm plants come in 2 litre pots and provide extra height from planting, particularly useful beside a patio or seating area.

Choosing a size

Cherry laurel is available in three potted sizes: 40-60cm in a 9cm pot, and 60-90cm or 90-120cm in 2 litre pots. All three can be planted when the ground is workable and conditions are suitable. Smaller plants help keep the initial cost down over a long boundary, while the taller options provide more height straight away. The table shows the available sizes and suggested planting densities.

table

When and how to plant a cherry laurel hedge

Potted cherry laurel can be planted at any time of year, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Autumn and spring are ideal because the soil is naturally moist and warm enough for roots to settle. Prepare a planting strip at least 60cm wide. Remove weeds, grass and large stones, then dig in some well-rotted organic matter.

Water each rootball well before planting. Dig a trench or individual holes deep enough to set the plant at the same soil level it was in the pot. Backfill with soil, firm gently around the roots, and water thoroughly. A mulch of bark or compost after planting helps hold moisture, but keep it clear of the stems.

Spacing: how many cherry laurel plants do I need?

Planting distance affects how soon neighbouring cherry laurels grow together into a continuous hedge. Use the plants-per-metre figures above for a single row, allowing enough room for each plant to develop. Where space permits, a staggered double row can create a thicker screen, although it requires more plants and a wider planting strip.

For a single-row hedge, the table gives approximate plant quantities for boundaries measuring 5, 10 or 20 metres. The figures are based on the suggested spacing for each available size, so you can calculate how many plants to order.

table

Watering and feeding

New cherry laurel hedges need consistent watering during their first growing season. Check the soil around the roots regularly. Water slowly and deeply when the top few centimetres feel dry, rather than giving a light sprinkle. Rain on the leaves does not always wet the rootball underneath.

In spring, apply a general-purpose granular fertiliser or a mulch of well-rotted compost around the base of the plants. This helps maintain healthy foliage and steady new growth as the hedge establishes. Avoid feeding late in the season, as soft new growth can be caught by early frosts.

Trimming calendar

Trim your cherry laurel hedge once or twice a year to keep it dense and within bounds. Trim in late spring or early summer, once the first flush of new growth has developed. If needed, follow with a lighter cut in late summer to tidy stray shoots, avoiding pruning so late that fresh growth has insufficient time to harden before frost.

Use secateurs for the neatest finish, as they cut cleanly without slicing the large leaves. Hedge shears are quicker on a long run but leave some torn foliage. Always check for active bird nests before you cut. Keep the base slightly wider than the top so light reaches the lower branches.