Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a versatile, robust and attractive ornamental hedging plant that’s well suited to creating privacy screens, and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
Also known as common laurel or English laurel, cherry laurel is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Rosaceae (rose) family. It’s native to regions in south-eastern Europe, Turkey and the Middle East, where it’s commonly found in the wild in woodlands. Its dense foliage provides cover and nesting sites for birds, and its flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Cherry laurel needs well-drained soil but can tolerate a wide range of soil types, from clay to sandy loam. It can grow in both full sun and partial shade, although it tends to produce more flowers and fruit in sunnier spots. It’s a relatively fast-growing shrub and can reach a height of 5m or more with a similar spread, although it can be kept much smaller with regular pruning.
A common question among gardeners is the difference between laurel and cherry laurel. While both are evergreen shrubs with similar foliage, cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a completely different plant from true laurel (Laurus nobilis), also known as bay laurel. True laurel is often used as a culinary herb and has a different growth habit compared to cherry laurel.
Cherry laurel can become invasive (via its bright red berries, which are eaten and then dispersed by birds), particularly in woodland and natural habitats where it can out-compete native plants. It’s also important to note that cherry laurel leaves and seeds contain toxic compounds and should not be ingested by humans or pets.
Cherry laurel has a large, fibrous root system, which can spread out and suck moisture out of the soil, potentially causing damage to nearby structures such as foundations or pipes if planted too close. This is not usually a problem if the hedge is trimmed regularly, as the roots only grow in relation to the size of the rest of the plant and are unlikely to spread very far. However, if you have an old house and clay soil you might want to consider alternative options to be on the safe side.
Laurel is a classic hedge plant that can provide year-round greenery and privacy in home landscapes. With their lush green foliage and dense branching habit, laurels make a beautiful evergreen hedge. However laurels are relatively slow growing compared to other hedging plants. If your new laurel hedge seems to be taking its sweet time establishing or an older one is stalling out there are things you can do to accelerate growth.
Why Grow Laurel Hedges?
Before diving into how to speed up laurel growth, it helps to understand why laurel makes a great hedge plant. Here are some of the benefits of laurel hedges:
- Evergreen foliage provides year-round screening and privacy
- Dense growth habit fills in thickly as a barrier
- Withstands pruning well for formal shaping
- Tolerates shade better than most hedge plants
- Available in a range of sizes to suit any garden
- Long lived, lasting for decades with proper care
While relatively slow growing, a well cared for laurel hedge can achieve upwards of 2 feet of new growth per year. With the right techniques, it is possible to maximize growth rate and establishment
Test and Amend the Soil
One of the keys to fast laurel growth is making sure the soil conditions are right from the start Laurels prefer slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter Before planting a new laurel hedge, test the soil pH. The ideal pH range is 5.0 to 6.5. If the soil is too alkaline, work in elemental sulfur or cottonseed meal to lower pH.
Thoroughly mix compost or aged manure into the hedge bed to improve moisture retention and add nutrients. Well-draining soil is also vital, so add horticultural sand if drainage is poor. Install plants at the same depth they were growing in the nursery pot and water in well.
Provide Regular Watering
Consistent watering is crucial for robust laurel growth. Drought stressed laurels will barely grow at all. For new plantings, provide deep watering at least weekly during the first year. Soak the entire root zone, not just the surface. Established laurels also need thorough watering during dry spells.
Add 2-3 inches of organic mulch around plants to conserve moisture. Avoid overwatering as laurels are prone to root rot in soggy soil. Always check soil moisture before watering by digging down several inches.
Use a Balanced Fertilizer
To fuel rapid growth, laurels require adequate levels of essential nutrients. Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer or one formulated specifically for acid-loving plants. Work fertilizer gently into the top few inches of soil in early spring and again in midsummer.
Organic options like fish emulsion or compost tea also provide a steady nutrient release. Always follow label rates carefully to avoid burn. Water in fertilizers thoroughly after application.
Prune for Optimal Growth
Proper pruning is vital to keep laurels growing vigorously. In late winter or early spring, remove any dead or damaged branches. After the main growth spurt, trim hedges to maintain the desired shape and thickness. Avoid shearing off more than 20% of new growth at one time.
Use clean, sharp bypass pruners or hedge shears for easiest cutting. Never prune severely during hot, dry weather. Schedule pruning when cooler temperatures and rain is in the forecast.
Control Pests
Spider mites, scale, and other sucking insects can infest laurels and impede growth. Check for speckling damage or sticky deposits on foliage. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can control light infestations. For heavy pest pressure, use a systemic insecticide for full eradication. Ensure thorough spray coverage.
Check for Disease
Laurel wilt disease causes dramatic dieback and yellowing foliage. Look for streaking in affected branches. Sterilize tools after every cut when pruning diseased plants. Remove and destroy all infected material. As a prevention, apply a fungicide labeled for laurel wilt. Improve airflow with selective branch removal.
Stimulate Older Hedges
Overgrown or neglected laurel hedges often stall out and grow very slowly. Rejuvenate tired plants by cutting bare branches back to just above live wood to stimulate new growth. Apply a high phosphorus fertilizer to spur root and shoot development.
Evergreen tone can enhance leaf color in older hedges. Maintain a 2-3 inch mulch layer and provide supplemental water until the hedge is actively growing again. Avoid severe renovation pruning in summer.
Choose the Right Variety
Some laurel varieties are naturally faster growing than others. Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) can achieve up to 2 feet of new growth per year in ideal conditions. Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) may reach 18 inches annually. For quickest results, select these vigorous cultivars when planting a new laurel hedge.
Patience is Key
While these techniques will maximize growth rate, remember that laurel is inherently a slow growing hedge plant. Providing optimal care from the start will help, but also have realistic expectations. With proper soil prep, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, an established laurel hedge can thrive for decades to come.
Choose the Right Soil
Laurel is suitable for most types of soil, but if your ground is particularly heavy or sandy. we’d recommend adding a layer of compost to better the chances of your laurel establishing. Without the right soil, laurel can be slow to grow so you may want to consider this when planting.
Where to grow cherry laurel[image id=”179613″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”Cherry laurel hedge at the back of a border” alt=”Cherry laurel hedge at the back of a border” classes=””] Cherry laurel hedge at the back of a border
Cherry laurel makes a fine, fast-growing hedge. It’s hardy, tolerating all but the very coldest conditions to be found in the UK. However, due to its potentially invasive nature, avoid planting it near woodlands or other natural areas to prevent its spread by seed. It’s also a good idea to plant at least a couple of metres from buildings and other structures, particularly if you have clay soil, which shrinks significantly in volume when very dry. If planting cherry laurel against a fence, plant 1-1.5m away from the fence so you can get behind it to trim it when mature.
Skip Laurel Growth Rate – A Complete Guide
FAQ
How do I encourage laurel growth?
All types of laurel hedging will grow well in full sun, so if you are lucky enough to receive lots of sunshine in your garden then a laurel hedge should grow …
What is the best fertilizer for established laurels?
Once your Laurel hedge is established we would recommend an annual feed early in the spring with a balanced fertiliser such as ‘Growmore’, this is very beneficial to a Laurel hedge if applied at the same time as a mulch (a layer moisture retaining material like bark chippings, lawn mowings or garden compost).
How quickly do laurels grow?
Laurel, Common – fast growing – 30/60cm per year. Laurel, Compact – slow growing – 10/20cm per year. Laurel, Etna – moderate growing – 20/40cm per year.
How to thicken up a laurel hedge?
General hedge advice: clip the tops early on to encourage them to thicken up. Don’t be afraid to clip any thin part of the hedge once established. Clip the tips of branches around and gaps and thin sections. Pull and tuck in some branches horizontally, especially at near the bottom and across thin areas or gaps.
Can Laurel grow fast?
Generally, shrubs won’t be extremely fast growers, regardless of their species, so that’s something to remember. You can stimulate laurel to grow a bit faster, typically by light pruning a couple of times per year. You might also want to fertilize your laurel bush before the spring growing season, which should yield some extra growth.
How do you grow a laurel?
To grow the best laurel, you should give it plenty of water and fertiliser as well as keep it from competing with weeds which will steal its nutrients – do not forget to prune regularly too. I hope you have found our post on how to make your laurel grow faster useful. Can laurel make a hedge?
How to make laurel trees grow faster?
Pruning your laurel will help it grow faster and thicker. Trimming dead and damaged branches, and pruning into green growth every couple of months, will encourage the laurel to grow back bushier and faster. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s an effective method for promoting laurel growth.
Why is my Laurel growing slowly?
One reason your laurel may be growing slowly is that it may be competing with other plants, weeds, etc. As big drinkers, laurels that are competing with other plants tend to grow more slowly than they should.
What encourages laurel to grow back bushier?
Pruning your laurel will encourage it to grow back bushier than before at an even faster rate. Not only will trimming dead and damaged branches help your laurel grow faster but pruning into green growth every couple of months will help your laurel grow faster and thicker too.
How can you achieve a thicker laurel hedge faster?
For a denser, quicker coverage, plant laurels closer together. Typically, planting them about 2 to 3 feet apart can result in a thicker hedge faster. Regularly prune the laurel, especially during its formative years.