Thanks everyone for your advice. I think I will leave them then based on the advice here and hope they reach the desired height in a tight competitive space and be healthy and green. I will just give them a extra good feed each spring to help give additional nutrients needed to support so many together.
I did see the 1m troughs and seen 4-7 in some of those, but they are all 80-100cm in height usually. Not the desired 2m height.
Fingers crossed I am doing the right thing. I suppose I can deal with any issues down the line (nutrient deficiency or any that may yellowing or drooping, possibly replace)
They won't need food as such. Just keep them mulched with rotted manure, compost or leaf mould or similar. Any organic matter. That feeds the soil, which is far more beneficial long term than adding other food. You could always do a liquid seaweed food occasionally if you were concerned, later on in the growing season. If the site was properly prepped before planting, it won't be necessary for a while. Make sure any watering is thorough - not a sprinkle. Good deep watering every few days, if there isn't decent rainfall. That encourages the roots to go down, and helps prevent problems later on if there's dry spells. Light watering only encourages roots to stay near the surface, which makes them vulnerable in dry conditions. Any plant in a trough will be compromised in eventual size, regardless of type, but especially a shrub which wants to be large, which all laurels do. I think @Plantminded is just giving you an example of how closely they can be planted without it necessarily stopping decent growth. Again, like anything in a container, they would need help in terms of water and soil refreshment etc - but far more than when in the ground
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes, those troughs are sold in those spacings to grow on to whatever height is desired. Follow @Fairygirl's advice about mulching and deep watering and your hedge will make good progress!
Thanks @Fairygirl@Plantminded and everyone for their comments, I really appreciate everyone who has advised me. In hindsight I would have went 2-3, but hopefully they thrive. Thanks so much.
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I did see the 1m troughs and seen 4-7 in some of those, but they are all 80-100cm in height usually. Not the desired 2m height.
Fingers crossed I am doing the right thing. I suppose I can deal with any issues down the line (nutrient deficiency or any that may yellowing or drooping, possibly replace)
Time to mulch over then... Thanks
Any plant in a trough will be compromised in eventual size, regardless of type, but especially a shrub which wants to be large, which all laurels do. I think @Plantminded is just giving you an example of how closely they can be planted without it necessarily stopping decent growth. Again, like anything in a container, they would need help in terms of water and soil refreshment etc - but far more than when in the ground
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...