Be aware that laurel leaves contain cyanolipids that can release cyanide and benzaldehyde in some quantity when shredding leaves - the smell of cyanide can also be detected if simply hedge trimming - cyanide smells of sweet almonds! Probably little harm in the open air, but the risk is increased if you shred the plant, and then load the shredded leaves in to the car and drive off to the garden recycling tip with the windows shut. The Roman Emporer Nero used water steeped with Laurel leaves to poison the wells of enemies!
I planted a laurel hedge along our front last December, put plenty of home made compost (from heap) and some bonemeal down the hole, picked out the tops and they have grown loads in spite of the weather, but I think they enjoyed the rain. They need regular picking out when they are young to make a nice bushy plant at the bottom.
I have them down the back edge of the garden, they have been there for 20 years, and have been kept at 4 - 5' tall, lovely evergreen, and easy to manage. the birds love to nest in there.
I would recommend them.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
Hello...sorry to be a numpty but what do you mean by 'picking out'? I'm trying to grow a laurel hedge with young plants about 40-50cm apart...they are a bit on the skiny side but putting out a faur bit of new growth...thanks in advance for any tips!
Hello. I am a new member and this is my first time on the forum. I'd like to say that we have some laurel bushes in our front garden which have been there for about 6 years. They are basically fine but do suffer from being buffeted by the wind which can be pretty strong here. This turns the leaves brown which looks rather unattractive and for the sake of appearance I have to remove them individually by hand which can be quite time consuming. I would suggest to Tracysshed that if your garden is in a windy site that maybe something other than laurel might be better because of this reason.
I had some planted 6 months ago to divide a space but they are near a Eucalyptus tree. I believed they were hardy enough but this weather looks like it is scorching them along with the weak soil. How can I rescue 2 of the 6 that look very yellow and crispy.
I have a laurel hedge growing close to the house and it is doing really well. A neighbour has told me that its too close to the house. Does any one know how far from the house it needs to be
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I planted a laurel hedge along our front last December, put plenty of home made compost (from heap) and some bonemeal down the hole, picked out the tops and they have grown loads in spite of the weather, but I think they enjoyed the rain. They need regular picking out when they are young to make a nice bushy plant at the bottom.
I have them down the back edge of the garden, they have been there for 20 years, and have been kept at 4 - 5' tall, lovely evergreen, and easy to manage. the birds love to nest in there.
I would recommend them.
Hello...sorry to be a numpty but what do you mean by 'picking out'? I'm trying to grow a laurel hedge with young plants about 40-50cm apart...they are a bit on the skiny side but putting out a faur bit of new growth...thanks in advance for any tips!
Picking out is also known as pinching out i.e. nipping off the shoot tips to encourage branching.
Thanks! Does that affect how quickly the plants gain height though? I'm being greedy hehe, want some privacy & fast!
Hello. I am a new member and this is my first time on the forum. I'd like to say that we have some laurel bushes in our front garden which have been there for about 6 years. They are basically fine but do suffer from being buffeted by the wind which can be pretty strong here. This turns the leaves brown which looks rather unattractive and for the sake of appearance I have to remove them individually by hand which can be quite time consuming. I would suggest to Tracysshed that if your garden is in a windy site that maybe something other than laurel might be better because of this reason.
I also have them in semi shade and they do fine. But they do go brown wifh the wind as said above. But as they getter larger they look better
I had some planted 6 months ago to divide a space but they are near a Eucalyptus tree. I believed they were hardy enough but this weather looks like it is scorching them along with the weak soil. How can I rescue 2 of the 6 that look very yellow and crispy.
I have a laurel hedge growing close to the house and it is doing really well. A neighbour has told me that its too close to the house. Does any one know how far from the house it needs to be
Hello Kazz, please see your other thread.