🌿 Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): The Best Fast-Growing Evergreen Hedge

Discover why Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is the perfect evergreen hedge for privacy, year-round coverage, and fast growth. Ideal for UK gardens and low-maintenance landscaping.

If you're searching for the ideal fast-growing evergreen hedge that provides dense privacy, glossy green foliage, and year-round interest, look no further than Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). This hardy shrub is a favourite among gardeners and landscapers for creating beautiful and functional hedging screens that thrive in almost any garden condition.

🌳 What Is Cherry Laurel?

Cherry Laurel, also known by its botanical name Prunus laurocerasus, is a vigorous broadleaf evergreen shrub native to Southeast Europe and Western Asia. With its rich green leaves, rapid growth rate, and tolerance to various climates, it’s a go-to choice for privacy hedges, windbreaks, and formal garden borders.

✅ Benefits of Cherry Laurel as a Hedging Plant

1. Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge

Cherry Laurel is one of the fastest-growing hedge plants in the UK, gaining up to 60cm (2ft) per year in ideal conditions. It forms a thick, lush screen quickly, ideal for blocking unwanted views and reducing noise pollution.

2. Evergreen Foliage Year-Round

Unlike deciduous hedging plants, Cherry Laurel keeps its dense green leaves all year long. This makes it a reliable choice for year-round privacy and visual interest, even in winter.

3. Low Maintenance & Hardy

Once established, Cherry Laurel is incredibly low maintenance. It is drought-tolerant, pollution-resistant, and grows well in sun or shade. It’s perfect for both rural and urban gardens.

4. Attractive Flowers and Berries

In spring, Cherry Laurel produces clusters of fragrant white flowers, followed by dark berries in late summer or autumn—providing food for birds and beneficial wildlife.

🌱 How to Plant and Grow Cherry Laurel

📏 Spacing & Position

• Space plants 60–90 cm apart for a dense hedge.

• Suitable for full sun, partial shade, or full shade—rare versatility for a hedge plant.

🌿 Soil Requirements

• Grows best in moist, well-drained soil.

• Tolerates clay, chalk, loam, or sandy soils.

💧 Watering and Feeding

• Water well during the first year after planting.

• Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring to encourage healthy growth.

✂️ Pruning Tips

• Prune once or twice a year—late spring or summer is ideal.

• Cherry Laurel can be hard pruned to maintain shape or reduce height.

⚠️ Important Considerations

• Toxicity: All parts of Cherry Laurel are toxic if ingested by humans or pets. Avoid planting in areas with unsupervised children or animals.

• Pests & Diseases: Can be affected by shot hole disease or vine weevil, especially in poor conditions. Proper care and drainage help prevent issues.

• Invasive Potential: In some regions, it may become invasive. Check with local environmental guidelines before planting.

🌿 Cherry Laurel Varieties to Consider

• Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' – Most popular for hedging, broad glossy leaves, very fast-growing.

• Prunus laurocerasus 'Caucasica' – Upright growth, narrow leaves, ideal for tight spaces.

• Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken' – Compact and low-growing, great for borders or smaller gardens.

🌼 Conclusion: Is Cherry Laurel Right for Your Garden?

Whether you need a fast-growing evergreen hedge for privacy, a low-maintenance boundary, or simply a way to add structure to your garden, Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) delivers on all fronts. It's adaptable, beautiful, and quick to establish—making it a top choice for UK gardeners and landscapers.

If you're planning to plant a hedge this season, make sure Cherry Laurel is on your shortlist. With the right care, it will reward you with a vibrant, private, and evergreen backdrop for years to come.