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Hard-cut back on bush - advice required

markcarter123markcarter123 Posts: 2
in Plants
Can this bush be cut right back to the branches as the size is increasingly growing too large and encroaching on drive way. 

If so when is it best to do? 

Not sure what type of bush is? 





Posts

  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    It's a Portuguese laurel markcarter and can be pruned as you would a normal laurel. They're pretty tough shrubs and grow enormous if they aren't kept in control so go for it, you won't do any harm. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Sorry to contradict you @uff but I wouldn't hard prune any evergreen plant in Winter.  It won't necessarily kill the plant, but it will stress it to have fresh cuts together with very cold weather.  You also end up with bare branches for many months, before any new foliage starts to grow/show.

    I would leave pruning until Spring.
  • markcarter123markcarter123 Posts: 2
    Thanks @uff and @KeenOnGreen for the replies and for identifying it. 
    It’s good to know that it can be cut back hard, but I’ll wait until Spring before cutting back then. 
    …  ~ April??
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    They say Feb, July and Oct for pruning PL but if the laurel were mine I would trim lightly to clear the drive and then harder in spring or possibly later depending on where you live. The branches would be visible until new growth appears. I guess it depends on how desperate you are to clear the drive. 
    I agree with you though KeenOnGreen, I wouldn't cut back to the heart of the bush until it's warmer.
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    They do grow very big, I’m always fearful when people ask about them,  having planted them about 18” apart and a foot from the fence. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    edited December 2021
    Oh dear @Lyn, that's just what our newish neighbours have done the other side of our drive! I'm watching them grow with apprehension.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're quite easy to keep in a neat hedge @Lizzie27. There's loads of hedging round here using it, and none of it has been allowed to get out of hand.  :)

    I'd certainly do as @KeenOnGreen suggests re leaving it until warmer conditions are in place @markcarter123. It's possible to take some of it away [if you're in a mild area with no frost and ice forecast for a while] but it's best to wait until spring. You could prune it back partially in April [again depending on your conditions/climate] and then if it gets any frost damage, it won't matter as you'll be able to hard prune it again later - in May for example.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • parrotfeather*parrotfeather* Posts: 188
    If it's any consolation I have pruned a huge Portuguese laurel down to ground level and got away with it; it is remarkably resilient. I would wait until the spring to any serious pruning, though.
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Just taken this pic of the cherry laurel that I cut back at least twice a year. The last time was 21st November when I took between 18in - 2ft off it. I always cut it by hand with secateurs or lopper depending on the thickness of the stems.

      
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
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