Description
Planting cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) for hedging is a brilliant way to create a lush, evergreen screen that offers privacy, wind protection, and year-round greenery. Here’s a practical guide to help you get it right, with expert video tutorials to walk you through each step:
🌱 Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Cherry Laurel Hedging
- Choose the Right Time
- Best planted in autumn or spring when the soil is moist but not frozen.
- Container-grown plants can be planted year-round if conditions are suitable.
- Prepare the Site
- Cherry laurel thrives in well-drained soil, tolerates clay and sandy loam, and grows in full sun to partial shade.
- Dig a trench twice the width of the root ball and mix in organic matter for better drainage.
- Spacing and Layout
- For a dense hedge, space plants 60–90 cm apart. You can also plant in a staggered double row for quicker coverage.
- Planting Technique
- Loosen circling roots before planting.
- Ensure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Firm the soil around the base and water thoroughly.
- Watering and Mulching
- Water regularly during the first growing season.
- Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the stems.
- Pruning and Maintenance
- Prune once or twice a year to maintain shape.
- Cherry laurel can grow up to 5m tall, but regular trimming keeps it compact
