Hardy evergreen cherry laurel hedge in Ireland

We bought and planted our cherry laurel hedge 3 years ago. It had to grow fast because we needed it as a screen against a nasty neighbor. Therefore, I cherish and care for it like my own child (hope that does not sound crazy). I wanna share some of my little secrets, hope they help you if you get yourself a hedge.

Trimming was the hardest thing I had to learn in quite a while. I hope I do it right, have googled sooooooo much about it: at the beginning I cut only on the sides, so it should just shoots up in height. Not sure that it’s the right way but it worked for me, so I can recommend it if you want a higher hedge.

The ideal time to trim laurel hedge, it turns out, is in the spring before it blooms, but it can also be done right after it blooms, such as in June or in the fall. Actually, the trimming of the hedge is all year round thing, except in case of severe frost or constant heat and strong sunshine. This is one of the reasons we got a hardy evergreen laurel hedge, other plants are much more demanding.

Funnily enough, after each trimming, our hedge becomes even bushier. Besides, it is high enough now (approx. 6-7 feet). It should not really become much higher, but now can really go more in the width.

I am also testing and trying different fertilizers now. I tried that before with a scattered fertilizer but somehow I’m not happy about it. It is very difficult to spread an exact amount around the closely grown plants. I will go back to watering with liquid fertilizer, it is the easiest way in my opinion.

Do not forget to check your hedge for snails. We got some colonies in ours and it is amazing how fast they are eating the plants. While getting rid of the snails is not a very nice process, I don’t want our hedge eaten away like 2 years ago. Check it regularly and do what must be done.

Also, sparrows seem to have colonized the hedge. Unlike the snails, they just make nests and do not seem to do much damage. More than that, I think birds are good for the hedge, they eat some of the insects.

We like the hedge quite well as it is right now – not so stiff and straight, but loose.

Hope my experience and tips will help you at some point. Just want to add: getting a laurel hedge is a great choice if you do not mind taking care of it.

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Potted Laurel Plants – Common Laurel & Portuguese Laurel

Laurel can be planted not only as a hedge in the garden, it is also well suited for growing in a pot. Potted laurel plants are well suited for winter months when it is not advisable to actually plant them outside.

If you have the laurel in a pot, you can place it in a variety of places. Not only in the garden, where the beautiful leaves always look good, but also in a sunny place on your balcony or terrace. The plant can create a wonderful atmosphere wherever your place of rest is. And if you want to pick the leaves of the laurel and use them for spices, go ahead.

Growing a common laurel in a pot is more difficult, but ensures that the plant can be easily transported and later replanted outside. Many ready-made hedges come in a container, pot, or plant bag. If the laurel is then planted in the home garden, you don’t have to deal with dead plants and falling leaves. However, growing in pots takes more time and money, and therefore the plants are more expensive. 

In recent years, the Portuguese laurel has become very popular. More and more people are becoming enchanted by its luxurious appearance and charming bloom. But no matter what type of laurel you choose, it is very easy to replant from the pot. If you do it in well-drained soil, it can become a real eye-catcher in your garden.

Some varieties, like the above-mentioned Portuguese laurel, might need a little more attention after planting. If you add some humus-rich garden soil to the planting hole, you increase the chance that the laurel will grow well. Of course, this is also the case if the soil in your garden is rich in humus anyway.

Always keep the soil moist enough but make sure that waterlogging cannot form. But the top layer of soil should never be too dry. If necessary, use an organic garden fertilizer in the first year. Once the laurel is well grown, you can simply let it be. However, especially in the first year, it is important to take good care of it on a regular basis.

The advantage of potted laurel plants is that you do not have to plant them immediately, you can even wait a few weeks. They are also available all year round. However, you should place the plants in a protected place and make sure they get enough water.

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