Advice on Buying Laurel Hedge Plants & Trees
This is a guide to the different laurel plants that we sell, their delivery and planting.
- All the laurels make ideal evergreen hedging plants.
- They all have one thing in common: they need a well drained soil.
Guide to Choosing the 4 Laurel Varieties we Grow
| |
Cherry Laurel |
Portugal Laurel |
Spotted Laurel |
Bay Laurel |
| Other Common Names |
Common, English |
Portuguese |
|
Sweet, Edible, Grecian |
| Botanical Name |
Prunus laurocarasus Rotundifolia |
Prunus lusitanica |
Aucuba japonica Variegata / Crotonifolia |
Laurus nobilis |
| Approx. Price Range Per Plant |
1.50 - 80 |
1.70 - 80 |
6 - 17 |
4.30 - 8.50 |
| Delivery Sizes Available |
30 - 175cms |
40 - 170cms |
60 - 125cms |
40 - 80cms |
| Delivery Seasons |
Bareroot:
Nov-March
Pot-grown:
May-Oct |
Bareroot:
Nov-March
Pot-grown:
May-Oct |
Pot-grown Only:
May - Oct |
Pot-grown Only:
May - Oct |
| Notes on Growing |
- Good in poor soil & shade.
- Pretty, strong scented flowers.
|
- Good in poor soil & shade.
- The most cold hardy.
- Pinkish leaf stems.
|
- Good in poor soil & shade.
- The most drought resistant.
- Spotted leaves.
|
- Needs good sun & fertile soil.
- Bay leaves used in cooking.
- Grows well near the sea.
|
Bareroot VS Pot-grown Laurel Plants:
Plants can be delivered bareroot in winter (Nov-March) or pot-grown for the rest of the year.
The terms bareroot & pot-grown just refer to how the plants are delivered - both have to go in the ground (or be planted in a big pot - although only bay laurel is suitable for this).
- Bareroot plants are cheaper, easier to handle and, because you plant them in winter, they will usually be watered well by the rain as they establish.
- Pot-grown plants are just as good, but you must be able to water them during dry spells when they are establishing or they will die.
- Spotted Laurel & Bay Laurel have sensitive roots and can only be delivered in pots.
- The biggest delivery sizes (graded at over 80cms tall) of Common Laurel & Portugal Laurel can also only be delivered in pots.
Which Laurel is best for use as a hedge?
All the laurels make a fine evergree hedge.
Common Laurel, Spotted Laurel and Portugal Laurel are all excellent for planting in poor soil and shady areas.
Bay Laurel is quite tender and needs fertile soil and plenty of sun.
- Spotted Laurel is the best choice if your site suffers from drought. Remember that you must be able to water your plants while the are still establishing.
- Portugal Laurel is the hardiest, so it's the best choice if you live in the North.
- In the South, Bay Laurel is the best choice for planting by the coast.
Which delivery size is the best for hedging?
You can choose from a range of delivery sizes - all the plants will reach the same final height.
- Smaller plants are best if you are on a tight budget or if there is no hurry to get a big hedge. The smallest sizes of Common Laurel & Portugal Laurel are only sold bareroot.
- Bigger plants will give you a mature hedge quickly - the largest sizes of Common Laurel & Portugal Laurel are only sold pot-grown.
- If in doubt, we reckon that plants graded at 60-80cms tall at delivery are the best balance of price & size.
Do you want a laurel tree instead of a hedge?
All of the laurel we sell is grown to be ideal for use as hedging, but you can also grow the same plants into a large tree or a specimen shrub if you wish.
If you desire a tree with a single straight trunk, all you need to do is:
- If the plant has more than one upright, leading stem, choose the biggest one and prune out all the other ones right after planting.
- Let your trees establish for a year or two, then begin removing the lowest branches each winter to encourage strong upright growth.
Delivery information:
- The winter planting and delivery season for bareroot laurel is in between November and March.
- pot-grown Laurel hedging is available for the rest of the year - these are delivered in pots but will need to be planted out.
- You can place your order for bareroot laurel trees at any time of year and choose a winter delivery date that suits you.
- We delivery by week, not by a specific day. You will receive an e-mail to notify you of the exact delivery date the day before your plants arrive.
- We will not charge you until your plants are ready to be shipped.
- When they are delivered, we use a 24 hour courier service to get your laurel trees to you in top condition.
- You can contact us on 01963 359 444 or info@REMOVETEXTashridgetrees.co.uk if you have any questions or suggestions.
