An update. I sold the 7 spare plants and got messed about for the rest so they are still in situ and growing! My dilemma now is should I cut them back yet? I need them to bush out to form a hedge but not too much. I know pruning will make them grow quicker so I am little (a lot) hesitant.
PS The neighbours have no idea what monsters I have planted! They have just put in that little concrete border thing so stop them going on their path.🤪
Yes, trim them now, otherwise they'll be tall and thin and you want them to bush out and fill the space. Also, by keeping them in check now, you'll 'train' them to thicken and get used to being trimmed regularly, so you won't end up with huge gaps when you do eventually cut them back. We had a monster of a laurel for years which we cut back by at least half and now it has thickened nicely and holds its shape and only needs trimming once a year (admittedly it's wider than the 2ft or so you have available, but we have the width, but I'm sure that if you start now as you mean to go on you should have no real problems keeping it in check)
I would. It looks like you've got some nice healthy new growth all over so personally I'd cut back say a third of the new growth top and sides and if you feel that isn't enough take half of the new growth. Don't be afraid to take it in hand - it will respond and will thicken nicely and then should do better in keeping its shape to the area you have available - that certainly is what has happened with ours Hope this helps.
I've done it! Unfortunately there wasn't much needed side growth to trim, but where I could I did. They look even more spindly now but hopefully not for too long.
Well done! It's always daunting cutting things back as you think they'll never grow again, but they do! And you'll end up with a much thicker plant which you've pruned to the shape and size you want from the get go. As an example of how much things respond to pruning - my garden is full of hypericum, which I don't particular like, so I prune it hard twice a year and it grows back fuller and thicker each time!! I don't mind because it's kept to the shape I want instead of taking over the whole of my borders. Good luck on your laurel adventures!!!
I am going to dig these up, they are thriving, look great but worrying me! It is just not feasible to grow these monsters in this space.
I am going to pot them up and try to resell them. My question is what size pots should I put them in? I was thinking 3 litre, they arrived in 2 litre pots in Feb.
I am going to dig these up, they are thriving, look great but worrying me! It is just not feasible to grow these monsters in this space.
I am going to pot them up and try to resell them. My question is what size pots should I put them in? I was thinking 3 litre, they arrived in 2 litre pots in Feb.
Thoughts please.
Don't bother with online sales options. As you said previously, you were mucked around and couldn't shift them. You could either try placing a sign on your grass, advertising them (someone might pinch them, though) or you could drop leaflets through neighbours doors. Failing that. local landscaping companies might want them.
Thanks @rachelQrtJHBjb I did eventually sell the six spare plants I had. No point advertising them outside as I live in a dead end road. No passing anything.
Just not sure what size pot the root balls are likely to need.
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PS The neighbours have no idea what monsters I have planted! They have just put in that little concrete border thing so stop them going on their path.🤪
I am going to pot them up and try to resell them. My question is what size pots should I put them in? I was thinking 3 litre, they arrived in 2 litre pots in Feb.
Thoughts please.
Just not sure what size pot the root balls are likely to need.