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Planting a Portuguese Laurel Hedge

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Understood … it’s the weekend … brains need a rest too 😉  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Fairygirl said:
    My Pyracanthas are easily 7 feet - and more. They won't be 7 metres though....
    I presume you meant feet  :)
    How fast anything grows depends on your location, the soil and the climate.
    Anything you plant will take several years to be anywhere near 6 or 7 feet, including P. laurel. The only way it would be quicker is if you plant very large specimens, and that's very, very expensive, and can be counter productive as they're much harder to establish. 
    Thank you for your advice, think I will go for pyracantha 👍
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2023
    Even before it’s grown to 7ft, a
    pyracantha hedge will provide a safe refuge for small birds, not only from marauding cats but also from sparrowhawks  … marvellous stuff pyracantha 👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Even before it’s grown to 7ft, a
    pyracantha hedge will provide a safe refuge for small birds, not only from marauding cats but also from sparrowhawks  … marvellous stuff pyracantha 👍 
    Yes I have sparrowhawks visit the garden.  TY

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We have Pyracantha/Portuguese Laurel and Privet hedges.  Some are 30 years old, but are not dense enough at the bottom to be a barrier to cats. The cats are often to be found sitting below the hedges, using them to hide, so they can pounce on birds. 

    Cats are so slender and agile, they can clamber through the base of most shrubs/hedges. They are also able to jump up and scramble over the 6 foot fences in our garden, so I think you would need at least 7ft fence or more.

    I have found the best deterrents for Cats to be having a dog. Second best barrier is a very high fence, with no ability for the Cats to dig a tunnel below it. I wouldn't use plants to deter Cats, as I don't think such a thing exists.

    Good luck with your problem, we also hated the Cats that used to shit in our garden and kill the birds, but our Dog has sorted that problem out.
  • We have Pyracantha/Portuguese Laurel and Privet hedges.  Some are 30 years old, but are not dense enough at the bottom to be a barrier to cats. The cats are often to be found sitting below the hedges, using them to hide, so they can pounce on birds. 

    Cats are so slender and agile, they can clamber through the base of most shrubs/hedges. They are also able to jump up and scramble over the 6 foot fences in our garden, so I think you would need at least 7ft fence or more.

    I have found the best deterrents for Cats to be having a dog. Second best barrier is a very high fence, with no ability for the Cats to dig a tunnel below it. I wouldn't use plants to deter Cats, as I don't think such a thing exists.

    Good luck with your problem, we also hated the Cats that used to shit in our garden and kill the birds, but our Dog has sorted that problem out.
    There is a 6ft fence which is why i want to grow hedge to hide fence and deter cat
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If the cat has the means to get on top of the fence, nothing will prevent it getting in. 
    The pyracantha would have to be completely solid above the fence, and much higher, and there are regulations about hedge heights. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Thats why the protection given by the pyracantha’s spines can save many small birds when predators with fur or feathers get into a garden. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Fairygirl said:
    If the cat has the means to get on top of the fence, nothing will prevent it getting in. 
    The pyracantha would have to be completely solid above the fence, and much higher, and there are regulations about hedge heights. 

    The hedge will prevent it as it doesnt jump straight over in mid air, it climbs down half way my side then jumos. Once I have hedge and shrubs in place it will be much harder. It avoids part of the fence I have cat spikes on. I may never stop it completely but a thorny hedge is a deterrent
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The spikes do nothing to stop them here, so I hope you have better luck. They jump straight off the top of fences and shed roofs here to get in. 
    I've just come in from chasing yet another new one....

    Shrubs and hedging alone won't stop them unless it's totally solid top to bottom, and is at least 8 or 9 feet high. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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