The cherry laurel is very easy to care for - apart from regular pruning, occasional fertilization and additional watering in dry conditions, no major care measures are necessary. Growing quickly, the laurel cherry forms dense, evergreen privacy hedges that are ideal as a design element. If you would like to create such a hedge, the question arises: When should you plant so that the cherry laurel grows well?
When is the best time to plant cherry laurel?
The best time to plant cherry laurel is in early fall, especially for bare-root plants. Alternatively, it can also be planted in spring. Summer planting is possible for baled goods if appropriate protection and water supply measures are taken.
Cherry laurel is preferably planted in early autumn
As with many woody plants, autumn is the ideal season for planting, especially if you have purchased bare-root cherry laurel. The bush then barely sprouts and puts all its energy into root formation. This means it grows very well and begins to grow vigorously in the spring after planting.
While bare-root laurel cherries can be planted until the end of September, you should plant bales at the beginning of September. Since the cherry laurel evaporates water over its large leaf surface even in winter, it is important that the fresh roots have completely penetrated the ball by the time frost hits.
Planting in spring
Alternatively, you can plant the laurel cherry in spring. You should put bare-rooted trees in the ground as early as possible so that the roots grow in well by the time of the growing season. The less sensitive container goods can be planted until May, as these bushes have a higher proportion of fine roots and can therefore absorb more nutrients.
Planting in summer
You can also plant bale goods in the warm season, as long as you pay attention to a few basic things:
- Dig the planting hole so deep that it is exactly flush with the container substrate.
- After planting, press the soil around the laurel cherry gently so that no roots are injured.
- Mulching shrubs.
- Water cherry laurel thoroughly in the first few weeks after planting, even watering several times a day if necessary.
Tips & Tricks
You can tell the quality of the cherry laurel you have purchased from the root ball: with bushes of high quality, the ball does not break, so you can insert it completely into the planting hole.