Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Can any please davise what the minimum amount of soil / space a laurel hedge would need.

teamjonesteamjones Posts: 3
in Plants
Hi

I am hoping to plant a laurel hedge (eventually I would like it to grow to 10 / 13 feet high).  It was going to be planted in a breeze-block planter with soil 14 meters long 1meter wide.  

However due to a drain it looks like the width of the planter will need to be reduced in width.  Can you please advise the minimum width and depth I could build the planter for the laurel hedge to survive.

many thanks

Posts

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    What will the planter be standing on? and how high is the planter?
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • teamjonesteamjones Posts: 3
    The planter will be 3 feet deep and stands on hardcore/ tarmac. 
  • teamjonesteamjones Posts: 3
    Thank you for your interest.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'll need to ensure there are drainage holes, and ideally something to keep the planter off the ground, to allow excess water to get away. Laurels do like plenty of water, but like most plants, they don't do well sitting in it long term. A few battens attached to the bottom will help, assuming you can put a false bottom of marine ply in the base. If not, a decent layer of gravel in the bottom will assist. I'd also put a layer of landscape fabric or similar on top of that to prevent soil being washed down and blocking the drainage holes. 
    I'd make sure the planter isn't any shallower in width [ ie  front to back] than 2 feet/60cm. I'm assuming your 3 feet measurement is the height? That should give plenty of volume. You'll need a good soil based medium to fill it with, and don't make the mistake that many people make by buying bigger plants, assuming they will be better. They're not. Buy them at around three feet. They'll establish and grow much quicker   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
Sign In or Register to comment.