The cherry laurel is one of the fast-growing garden trees that quickly grow into dense privacy hedges according to the motto: “Faster, higher, wider”. However, because of its strong growth, the tree must be cut regularly.
How fast does the cherry laurel grow?
Cherry laurel grows very quickly and, depending on the location, can grow up to 50 centimeters in height and up to 35 centimeters in width per year. For controlled growth, regular pruning with mechanical cutting tools is recommended.
You can almost watch the cherry laurel grow
Most laurel cherry species develop very quickly and form high, evergreen privacy walls within a few years. The growth per year can be up to fifty centimeters in good locations, so that the one meter high hedge when planted has reached two meters height after just two years.
Consider breadth growth
The cherry laurel doesn't just stretch towards the sky. Even if it is a little smaller, it still grows significantly in width. If left unpruned, the shrub can grow up to 35 centimeters per year. If you have a large property that you would like to surround with a cherry laurel hedge, the shrub's enormous growth potential is no problem. In small terraced house gardens, however, space can quickly become limited due to the rapid growth.
Keeping the cherry laurel in check
You can limit the sprawling growth of the cherry laurel through regular pruning. The cut should always be done with mechanical cutting tools (€21.00 on Amazon) so that the beautiful leaves of the tree are not affected. This care measure creates enormous amounts of plant material that you can spread under the hedge as mulch. Rotting slowly, this layer of mulch smothers weeds and protects the soil from drying out.
Don’t plant too close together
So that the cherry laurel does not crowd other plants, you should allow sufficient distance from other plants and paths when planting the tree. So that you can easily reach all parts of the laurel cherry when cutting, you should add about fifty centimeters to the planned circumference.
Choosing the right variety
Even in small gardens, you don't have to do without cherry laurel. Breeds like Otto Luyken grow slower and do not grow as tall as other varieties. They are well suited for low privacy hedges or as attractive solitary or border plants.
Tips & Tricks
The laurel cherry can even cope with being put back on the stick without any problems. You can rejuvenate bushes that have grown too large and limit excessive growth in the future through regular pruning.
