Cherry laurels are more than just a great standalone feature for your yard. Because they grow relatively fast and create a thick, lush screen, they are one of the best choices for a privacy hedge along your property line.
Why Choose Cherry Laurel?
If you’re looking for the perfect hedge plant, cherry laurel brings a lot to the table:
- It’s a fast grower.
- It handles heavy pruning and shaping like a champ.
- It’s hardy enough to survive the winter.
- It stays green all year round.
On top of all that, it’s an incredibly low-maintenance plant. It isn’t very demanding and is rarely bothered by pests or diseases.
Versatility at Its Best
The perks don’t stop there. One of the best things about cherry laurel is that it isn’t picky about light. Whether your yard is bathed in full sun or tucked away in deep shade, this plant will thrive. This gives you a ton of flexibility when deciding where to plant your hedge. It’s just as easygoing when it comes to soil. While it prefers loamy, nutrient-rich dirt, it does perfectly fine in sandy soil too. It’s also adaptable to different pH levels, growing happily in both acidic and alkaline ground.
Fall is the Best Time to Plant
You’ll usually find cherry laurels sold as container-grown plants. Technically, this means you can plant your hedge anytime from spring through fall. However, if you want the best results, I recommend planting in the autumn. Once the growing season winds down, the plant shifts its focus from growing leaves to building a strong root system. By planting in the fall, those roots will be well-established by spring, giving the plant a massive head start for the new season.
Tips for Planting and Choosing Varieties
Since cherry laurels like to spread out, you’ll want to leave at least 20 inches (about half a meter) of space between the plants and your property line. You should also keep that same distance between each individual plant. If you’re heading to the nursery, look for these varieties—they are particularly well-suited for hedging:
- “Etna”
- “Caucasica”
- “Novita”
- “Herbergii”
