Portuguese Laurel
(Prunus lusitanica)

Sitting as quite an elegant evergreen hedge, the Portuguese Laurel also offers delicate, fragrant, small, white flowers that blossom in the summer and easily attract the bees and butterflies- as well as delivering small red fruits for the birds. It is the perfect hedge for offering wind protection, noise reduction and year-round screening, as well as being a reasonably fast growing, compact hedge, proving it to be suitable for any garden style.

Prunus lusitanica Angustifolia is rather easy to grow and can tolerate all soil conditions/situations (even dry shade)- Chalk soils are a great choice for the Portuguese Laurel. Though, we do recommend that, if growing in dry shade, you keep the plant fed and moist until it is established, and we do not advise planting in coastal positions. It is rather hardy and resilient, but some wind protection may also be needed in places where windburn could be seen as a potential problem. You must also note that the leaves and berries are harmful if eaten, as with other varieties in the Laurel family (except Bay).

• Growth rate:̴Ì?Average (20-40cm per year)
• Ideal Height: 2.5m+ Tall
• Soil Type: Normal
• Exposure: Exposed, Inland
• Aspect: Full shade, sun
• Evergreen foliage? Yes

The Portuguese Laurel hedging plant has a medium growth rate, meaning it is rather easy to maintain and shape. You should find it only needs one trim a year (in late Summer), however, if you want it to grow very tall, pruning can be left longer than this.

When should I plant Portuguese Laurel hedging?

Portuguese Laurel can be planted at any time during the year, as long as the ground is not frozen and the plants are provided with plenty of water during the warmer months.

How far apart do you plant Laurel plants?

You will need to place your Laurel hedges between 2 and 3ft apart. This does, of course, depend on how quickly you want an established hedge, and the initial plant size (if planting 40/60cm tall plants, you will need at least 3 plants per metre).

How to plant your Portuguese Laurel:

First, make sure the location your will be planting your Portuguese Laurel in, is in either full sun or partial shade and the soil is moist-to-dry with no waterlogging complications. The soil type is not an issue.

Plant your Portuguese Laurel in a hole that is a little bigger than the root ball and add extra soil to fill it back up, once planted. The gently pack it down to secure the plant and remove any air bubbles. Water it well to help the roots establish well and effectively.

̴Ì?