Cherry Laurel hedge plants

Prunus laurocerasus Hedging Description

Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’ hedging is commonly referred to as English Laurel or Common Laurel but is best known as Cherry Laurel. This popular evergreen Laurel hedge plant exhibits a bushy habit with attractive, large, polished green leaves all year round. In spring, Cherry Laurel produces pretty yet modest clusters of creamy-white flowers on long, erect stems that are popular with bees. The flowers are followed by small, red fruits turning black in the autumn, providing a welcome source of food for birds. With the continuously changing seasonal interest that this shrub offers, Cherry Laurel makes a beautiful decorative addition to any sized garden.

Best Uses for Common Laurel

Cherry Laurel hedge plants are a favourable choice to have in the garden for various reasons. They’re a fast-growing species and with dense, robust, evergreen foliage, can provide an effective privacy screen and shelter in all seasons. Cherry Laurel hedging can also tolerate pollution and arid sites, as well as dense shade, making it ideal for problem areas, such as poor soil or parts of your garden with minimal sunlight. Laurel hedging is low-maintenance and easy-to-grow but Laurel plants can also be pot-grown and used as an ornamental shrub to decorate patios or gardens with limited space. Cherry Laurel is easily trimmed to create a stunning formal appearance, but can also be left unpruned to establish a more natural look in your landscape area. Best4hedging recommend against planting Cherry Laurel as a hedge barrier to contain livestock, as the foliage of Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’ is poisonous. Occasionally we hear concerns from our customers about whether dogs and children are at risk around Cherry Laurel hedges; however, there are no reported cases of any serious harm to pets or children. In the unlikely event of the leaves being consumed, should a reaction occur, an upset stomach would be the most likely outcome. But if you have any concerns, please contact a medical professional.

Combine Cherry Laurel Hedging With

Cherry Laurel hedging is traditionally planted as a stand-alone shrub to showcase its many attributes and attractive appearance, so rarely needs companion plants to improve the garden aesthetic. Cherry Laurel has a slightly spreading habit, tending to fill the surrounding space of its planting site and providing a gorgeous, bushy hedge that can be pruned into a smaller form if required. This is a common attribute for Laurel hedging in general.

Growth Rate of Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia'

When planted in optimum conditions, a Cherry Laurel hedge will achieve a growth of 30-60cm per year, with a final height of between 1.5 – 5 metres at maturity. 

Care Advice for Your Cherry Laurel Hedge

Cherry Laurel is a low-maintenance hedging species that requires a light trim once a year. However, if you’re looking for a more formal aesthetic, you may wish to carry out a second trim to keep the foliage neat. Prune your Laurel hedge in late winter or early spring, removing any damaged or diseased shoots. 

Suggested Planting Density for Common Laurel Hedging

For specific information on how far to space your Cherry Laurel hedge when planting, please see the product table. In the ‘No. Per Metre’ column, you will find our recommended planting density for individual plant species and root types such as Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’.

We offer Cherry Laurel hedges in a variety of root types. Hedging plants are sold as bare roots, which are available from November to late April/early May (depending on the season) and provide excellent value for money. We also have high-quality cell-grown and pot-grown plants available throughout the year. Prunus laurocerasus root balls (often big and bushy) are ready for planting in the autumn (usually from October).

The vast majority of our Cherry Laurel hedging plants are grown in the UK by experts with generations of horticultural growing experience. Occasionally, we need to source Cherry Laurel hedging from specialist nurseries outside the UK. However, this has no impact on the high quality of our Cherry Laurel hedge plants. At best4hedging, we always strive to exceed your expectations, providing you with the freshest plants while maintaining reasonable prices. This allows you to buy Cherry Laurel hedging plants in confidence, knowing that you are getting the best available products and service from our best4hedging nursery in Lancashire.