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Laurel Hedge

atif.akhtar73nwMxMQTatif.akhtar73nwMxMQT Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi All, 

So glad I came across this forum as I was about to purchase a number of 7ft Laurels to screen against the neighbours.  I understand from the threads on here that a smaller plant is better so I'm willing to take the hit in screening and looking at 3ft versions now.  Can anyone recommend a genuine supplier specifically for the laurels and what should I look to pay?  Cheapest for a 3ft I can find is £7.99 at a local garden centre.

Thanks

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @atif.akhtar73nwMxMQT One important piece of advice is buy small as you say. Young plants soon catch up with bigger more expensive ones. The reason is a smaller plant establishes it's roots far more quickly. Taller plants often need to be cut back when planting so that they can shoot at the base to form a thick hedge.
    People do plant them without realising that in years to come a chain saw can be the only means of control. Ensure that Laurel is right for you.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I bought mine from here,  you’ll need to be quick to get bare root plants in.
    https://www.scotplantsdirect.co.uk/hedging/bare-root-hedge/laurel-hedging-prunus-plants/rotundifolia-common-laurel-hedge-60-90cm.html
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    edited April 2023
    I have a laurel hedge at the bottom of my garden, it does a perfect job of screening the house opposite. I lower it every 3-4 yrs or so as it can get out of hand by getting super tall. I should do it more often but I like birds to nest in it, I always find a few pigeon, blackbird and goldfinch nests inside.

    I lowered mine the other week, it Took me two days working off a ladder with a pair of long reach loppers, and then another full day dragging the cuttings to the front of the house for them to be chipped by a tree surgeon. This year I treated myself to a lovely pair of Felco loppers especially or the job. I always do this early spring so that growth soon develops in case I lower it too much and we loose our privacy. That way there will be no live nests. If I did it in autumn and I did it too low then I'd have all winter with less privacy.

    No idea how old my hedge is, it was there when I moved into the house in 2007, but the trunks (yes trunks) are nearly 2ft diameter. My advice would be to keep it in check height wise more frequently than I do, to make the task much easier for yourself.

    Before..




    During..




    Here's just some of the cuttings that I had piled up and then needed to move..


  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    We keep ours to about 7’ in height,  got a long reach hedge cutter.
    the leaves that get cut in half soon go brown and drop off so no problem there, but they do grow big trunks,  we took a saw to it last year but it soon grew up to height again.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - it's a pity you couldn't have bought them a little earlier as the bare root season is over, although you may still get some, as @Lyn indicates.  :)
    If not, you'll need to get potted or rootballed ones. Another good supplier is Hopes Grove, and they've extended their spring sale so you might see something there that suits. I've used them several times 
    https://www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=April_23_Fastest_Growing_Hedges_Sale_Extended&utm_id=April+23+Fastest+Growing+Hedges+/+Sale+Extended

    Many people on the forum also use Hedges Direct, so it might be worth looking there too. 
    Just remember to prep your site well, whatever you decide to buy, and don't skimp on the watering going into summer, especially if you're in a dry part of the country. Lack of water is the most common reason hedging fails if planting at this time of year   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Not my favourite hedger, but definitely the best for sound-proofing.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • atif.akhtar73nwMxMQTatif.akhtar73nwMxMQT Posts: 2
    Thanks all, appreciate the responses.  I was looking at bare root before but I was told by a Facebook seller of Laurel that they mostly die so weren't worth it but I have little trust in them now so will have a look at the links provided.
    And yes definitely need some sound proofing, have boom boom going on half the time from a few houses away.
    Only other question is if I get the bare root or the small potted ones do I cut them straight away or wait a bit?

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    ah yes,  Facebook Experts,  they know everything.
    They don’t die,  they are better than potted ones,  which are usually pot bound,  which checks the roots,  you have to untangle them before planting.
    The bare roots have been growing outside,  I chose the Scottish company because I knew they’d be hardy and suit our climate. 
    They still have bare roots,  you can order them now and put them in a bucket of water until the ground’s prepared. 
    I don’t know how many you want but a row of 10 will cost £36.00 not bad. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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