Do you love evergreen hedges that protect your property from prying eyes even in the cold season? Then perhaps the easy-to-prune cherry laurel is just the living fence you're looking for. In this article you will find out how to plant the hedge plant correctly and what you need to consider when planting the hedge.

Which locations are suitable?

Cherry laurel prefers sunny or semi-shady locations. In winters without snowfall, however, this preference can become dangerous. Cold easterly winds and bright sunshine can dry out the leaves and the plant cannot absorb fresh water due to the frozen ground. A slightly sheltered location is therefore ideal. Laurel hedges can also run under trees, since the wood is one of the most competitive deep-rooters.

When is the right time to plant cherry laurel?

If you get containerized gardening supplies, you can plant the hedge throughout the growing season. However, the best time for planting is autumn, because at this time the bush does not form new shoots and all its strength is invested in root growth. It then grows particularly well and quickly. Alternatively, you can plant the laurel cherry in spring.

Which substrate does the laurel cherry prefer?

The evergreen shrub is sensitive to waterlogging. It also does not like wet locations in extremely acidic soil.

On the other hand, ideal are:

  • A humus and nutrient rich substrate.
  • The laurel cherry also thrives on dry, sandy soil.
  • Slightly acidic and alkaline soil is well tolerated.
  • The drier the ground, the more frost hardy the cherry laurel is.
  • Loosen compacted and loamy soils with sand.
  • Avoid waterlogging at all costs (drainage).

What planting distance must be observed?

How far apart you plant the individual plants depends on the variety. The rule of thumb is three plants per meter. Due to the strong growth of the laurel cherry, you will get a dense privacy screen after just two years.

Due to this very dense planting, however, there is a risk that the roots of the bushes will later become obstructed and the laurel cherry will begin to take care of itself. It is better to be patient and only plant one cherry laurel per meter.

Distance to buildings and fences

Since most cherry laurel species grow very quickly, you must keep enough distance to house walls and fences. Plant the wood in such a way that you can reach it from all sides and cut it back when fully grown. The optimal planting distance is half the diameter specified in the variety description plus at least half a meter.

How is the laurel cherry planted?

In the garden trade you will mainly get cherry laurel in a container, which is very easy to set. The somewhat cheaper baled goods are usually only offered in autumn. It is a bit more delicate and you need to plant it right after purchase or delivery.

Proceed as follows when planting:

  • Dig a planting hole. This should be significantly larger than the plant container.
  • In the case of baled goods, the roots must be spread out in the planting hole.
  • To avoid waterlogging, you can bring in a drainage layer of sand.
  • Enrich excavated topsoil with compost, manure or horn shavings (32.93€).
  • Insert the balls in such a way that the laurel sits exactly as deep as in the container.
  • Fill the planting hole with the excavated soil and make sure that the cherry laurel is vertical.
  • Only then should the earth be well consolidated.
  • Fill in more soil if necessary.
  • Water (sponge) plentifully.

In the first few weeks after planting, the laurel cherry should always be watered when the top layer of soil has dried. The shrub needs a lot of moisture for the roots to grow well.

Can cherry laurel be propagated by yourself?

Although the laurel cherry can be propagated by seeds, this is very expensive. The seeds germinate quite slowly and the small plants need a lot of time to develop into strong shrubs. You can propagate cherry laurel more easily and quickly by cuttings or cuttings. In this way you get robust young plants and a dense hedge relatively quickly.

Does the laurel cherry tolerate transplanting

If you are planning a garden redesign, it is sometimes necessary to implement one or more laurel cherries. If possible, move the trees in autumn, as the cherry laurel will take root particularly well then. Alternatively, the laurel cherry can move to another location in spring. Cut back the shrub slightly before transplanting; This makes it easier to transport and reduces evaporation via the leaves. When inserting, proceed in the same way as when planting a newly purchased laurel cherry.

Good and bad neighbors

Cherry laurel gets along well with plants that love partial shade. These include, for example, azaleas and rhododendrons, many conifers and ferns. The dark, glossy foliage of the cherry laurel beautifully showcases the blooms of lilies of the valley and lilies.

tips and tricks

Cherry laurel looks attractive not only as a hedge plant. The pretty shrub with its glossy, dark green foliage is also a feast for the eyes when planted as a solitary plant. Some species even thrive in tubs and transform the balcony or terrace into a green oasis.

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Trees