The cherry laurel is one of the fast-growing garden shrubs that quickly grow into dense privacy hedges according to the motto: "Faster, higher, wider". Because of its strong growth, however, the tree has to be cut regularly.

You can almost watch the laurel growing

Most laurel cherry species develop very quickly and form tall and evergreen privacy screens within a few years. Growth per year can be up to fifty centimeters in good locations, so that the hedge, which is one meter high when planted, has already reached two meters in height after two years.

consider broad growth

However, the cherry laurel not only stretches towards the sky. Although a little smaller, it also grows vigorously in width. Unpruned, the shrub can grow up to 35 centimeters per year. If you have a large plot of land that you would like to enclose with a cherry laurel hedge, the enormous driving force of the shrub is not a problem. In small terraced house gardens, on the other hand, space can quickly become scarce due to strong growth.

Keeping the cherry laurel in check

With regular pruning, you can limit the sprawling growth of the cherry laurel. The cut should always be done with mechanical cutting tools so that the beautiful leaves of the tree are not affected. This care measure produces enormous amounts of plant material, which you can spread under the hedge as mulch (€239.00). Slowly rotting, this layer of mulch smothers weeds and protects the soil from drying out.

Don't plant too closely

So that the cherry laurel does not crowd other plants, you should allow sufficient distance to other plants and paths when planting the wood. So that you can easily reach all parts of the laurel cherry when cutting, you should add about fifty centimeters to the planned circumference.

Correct choice of variety

Even in small gardens you don't have to do without the cherry laurel. Breeds like Otto Luyken grow slower and don't get as tall as other strains. They are well suited for low privacy hedges or as attractive solitary or border plants.

tips and tricks

The laurel cherry can even cope with being put back on the stick without any problems. You can use this to rejuvenate shrubs that have grown too large and limit excessive growth in the future by pruning them regularly.

Category:

Trees