Like many evergreen trees, you can cut the cherry laurel into a ball, cuboid or pyramid shape to give the shrub a figurative look. With this decorative cut you can create interesting design accents that give the garden an elegant and noble touch.
How do I do a cherry laurel topiary?
For a cherry laurel topiary, prune the shrub at least three times a year, ideally after flowering, in July and the end of August. Use sharp cutting tools, prune from the inside out and top to bottom, cutting into last year's he althy wood.
The right time for topiary
Woods that have been cut into shape should only be pruned moderately, but several times a year. This means they require a little more maintenance work, but this is outweighed by their exceptional appearance. You should cut the cherry laurel into shape at least three times a year:
- Create the desired shape for the first cut.
- This pruning is ideally done immediately after flowering.
- You should plan a second, corrective care cut for vigorous varieties in July.
- You can make a third cut at the end of August or beginning of September.
From the beginning of October there is no more pruning so that the shoots can woody sufficiently and do not freeze back too much in winter.
The correct procedure for topiary
The cherry laurel tolerates extreme pruning well and usually recovers from this in a short time. However, there are a few points to consider so that the tree does not suffer too much when cutting into shape:
- Never prune in strong sunshine as UV radiation causes sunburn on the leaves.
- Use very sharp cutting tools and disinfect them before cutting.
- Always prune the cherry laurel from the inside out and from top to bottom.
- When making the first cut, always cut into the previous year's he althy wood so that the tree has rich branches and grows back densely.
Suitable varieties
Not all types of laurel cherry can be cut into shape equally well. For spherical or conical shapes, you should choose varieties such as the cherry laurel Etna, which are about as tall as they are wide. Fast-growing laurel cherries such as Caucasica are better suited for very complex or pyramid-shaped topiaries.
Tips & Tricks
Take your time with these creative care measures and prune the shrub carefully. In the first step, work out the rough basic shape and correct it by cutting the tree into shape a second time.
