Laurel Hedge Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about cherry laurel and Portugal laurel hedges
Laurel hedges are among the most popular choices for UK gardens, offering fast growth, glossy evergreen foliage, and excellent privacy screening. This comprehensive guide covers both cherry laurel and Portugal laurel varieties, helping you choose and care for the perfect laurel hedge.
Types of Laurel Hedges
Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Growth rate: Fast (30-60cm per year)
Mature height: 2-5 meters
Leaf size: Large (10-20cm)
Best for: Fast privacy, large hedges, shaded areas
Hardiness: Very hardy (tolerates -15°C)
Perfect for Cheshire: Thrives in our clay soils and wet climate. Excellent for quick screening.
Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)
Growth rate: Moderate (25-35cm per year)
Mature height: 2-4 meters
Leaf size: Small (8-12cm)
Best for: Formal hedges, smaller gardens, elegant screening
Hardiness: Very hardy (tolerates -20°C)
Perfect for Cheshire: More compact than cherry laurel, ideal for smaller spaces and formal hedges.
Planting Laurel Hedges
When to Plant
Best time: October to March (bare-root plants)
Container plants: Year-round (avoid frozen ground)
Ideal months: October-November or February-March for best establishment
Soil Requirements
Laurels are remarkably adaptable and will grow in almost any soil:
- Heavy clay: Excellent - laurels love it!
- Sandy soil: Good with added organic matter
- Chalky soil: Acceptable, though not ideal
- Waterlogged: Improve drainage or choose another species
- pH: Tolerates 6.0-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Spacing Guide
Cherry Laurel
60-90cm
For a dense hedge within 2-3 years
Portugal Laurel
50-75cm
For a formal, compact hedge
From Boundary
60cm+
Minimum distance from property line
Planting Steps
Prepare the Trench
Dig a trench 60cm wide and 40cm deep along the hedge line
Improve the Soil
Mix excavated soil with compost or well-rotted manure (1:1 ratio)
Position Plants
Place plants at correct spacing, ensuring they're at the same depth as in their pots
Backfill & Firm
Fill with improved soil, firming gently to remove air pockets
Water & Mulch
Water thoroughly and apply 5-7cm of mulch around the base
Pruning & Trimming
Key Advantage
Unlike Leylandii, laurels will regrow from old wood. This means you can cut them back hard if needed without creating permanent brown patches.
When to Trim
Main Trim
When: Late August to September
After bird nesting season, before autumn. This is the most important trim of the year.
Light Trim (Optional)
When: Late April to May
Light shaping if needed, but check for nesting birds first.
Trimming Tools
Important: Use secateurs or a hedge trimmer, NOT a hedge cutter with small blades.
Laurel leaves are large and will look unsightly if cut in half. Secateurs give the neatest finish, though hedge trimmers work for larger hedges.
Trimming Technique
- Trim to maintain shape and control size
- Cut back to just above a leaf node
- Create a slight taper (wider at bottom)
- Remove any dead or damaged branches
- For formal hedges, use string lines for straight edges
Ongoing Care & Maintenance
Watering
First year: Water regularly, especially during dry spells
Established hedges: Usually only need watering in prolonged drought
Laurels are quite drought-tolerant once established but will look better with occasional watering in dry summers.
Feeding
Spring: Apply slow-release general fertilizer (March)
Mulch: Top up organic mulch annually
Laurels aren't heavy feeders but will benefit from annual feeding, especially on poor soils.
Pest Control
Common pests: Vine weevil, aphids, scale insects
Treatment: Usually not necessary; healthy hedges resist pests
Monitor for unusual damage and treat only if severe. See our pest control guide.
Disease Prevention
Main issue: Shothole disease (fungal)
Prevention: Good air circulation, avoid overhead watering
Remove affected leaves and ensure hedge isn't too dense. Learn more in our disease guide.
Common Problems & Solutions
Yellow Leaves
Causes:
- Waterlogging (most common)
- Nutrient deficiency
- Root damage
Solution: Improve drainage, apply balanced fertilizer, check for root disturbance.
Shothole Disease
Symptoms: Small brown spots on leaves that fall out, leaving holes
Causes: Fungal infection, often in wet conditions
Solution: Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering. Usually not serious.
Slow Growth
Causes:
- Poor soil
- Lack of water
- Too much shade (though laurels tolerate shade well)
- Competition from nearby trees
Solution: Improve soil with compost, ensure adequate watering, feed annually.
Frost Damage
Symptoms: Brown, crispy leaves after severe frost (rare in Cheshire)
Solution: Don't panic! Laurels usually recover. Prune out damaged growth in spring. New growth will replace it.
Rejuvenating Old Laurel Hedges
One of the best features of laurel is that it can be cut back hard to rejuvenate overgrown hedges. Unlike conifers, laurel will regrow from old wood.
How to Rejuvenate
- Best time: February to March (before growth starts)
- Cut back to desired height/width, even into bare wood
- Feed well after cutting
- Water regularly in first growing season
- Expect regrowth within 2-3 months
- Shape new growth in late summer
See our complete hedge rejuvenation guide for detailed instructions.
Cherry Laurel vs Portugal Laurel: Which to Choose?
| Feature | Cherry Laurel | Portugal Laurel |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Speed | Fast (30-60cm/year) | Moderate (25-35cm/year) |
| Leaf Size | Large, glossy | Smaller, more refined |
| Best For | Quick screening, large hedges | Formal hedges, smaller gardens |
| Shade Tolerance | Excellent | Good |
| Maintenance | 1-2 cuts per year | 1-2 cuts per year |
| Price | £ - Cheaper | ££ - More expensive |
Professional Laurel Hedge Services in Cheshire
We provide expert planting, trimming, and maintenance for laurel hedges across Cheshire and the surrounding areas.