The evergreen cherry laurel has the botanical name Prunus laurocerasus and is one of the extremely fast-growing trees that quickly grow into dense hedges. That's why the plant is primarily planted as a privacy screen and to delimit properties. However, the growth rate is not the same for all varieties and can vary greatly. However, growth can be further accelerated if necessary.
Growth rate
The growth of cherry laurels is closely linked to the respective variety and can vary greatly. In general, the plants have extremely vigorous growth. The varieties that are available commercially are those that have a particularly fast growth rate. The reason for this is the purpose of the plants; they have long served as boundaries and privacy hedges for gardens. That's why the strongly sprouting and tall growing varieties are specifically bred. However, the cherry laurel not only stretches towards the sky, the tree also grows strongly in width. Therefore, growth in all directions must be taken into account when choosing a location. If the property is large, it can be quickly surrounded with a cherry laurel hedge. In large locations, the plants' enormous driving force does not pose a serious problem.
- Growth speed depends on the variety
- Location conditions also influence growth
- Grow between 25 and 50 cm in height per year on average
- The annual growth rate is up to 35 cm
- Form evergreen privacy walls within a few years
- Adapt selected variety to existing conditions
- Keep enough distance from other plants when planting
- Don't sit too close to buildings and fences
Note:
In small gardens with limited space, the strong growth can soon lead to space problems. This also puts pressure on the neighboring plants.
Variety variety
Due to the great popularity of cherry laurels, there are now many different varieties available from specialist retailers that also cover specific location requirements. Each of the varieties has its own unique growth pattern; the differences are particularly noticeable in their speed and visual appearance.
Angustifolia
- Portuguese cherry laurel
- Grows about 3.50 m high
- Grows 20 to 40 cm per year
- Medium-strong budding
- Growth width is 1.20 to 1.50 m
- Forms small and very dense leaves
Caucasica
- Narrow-leaved cherry laurel
- Can grow over 5 m tall
- Grows at least 25 to 50 cm per year
- In ideal conditions, annual growth of 50 to 70 cm
- Very strong budding
- Growth width is 80 to 120 cm
- Forms narrow and pointed leaves
Etna
- Forms wide and thick leaves, slightly bronze colored
- Grows about 2 m high
- Annual growth is 10 to 30 cm
- Medium-strong budding
- Growth width is approx. 1.50 to 2 m
- Extremely durable
Mount Vernon
- One of the smallest varieties of cherry laurels
- Grows a total height of only 35 cm
- Used as a ground cover, extremely hardy
- In the early years growth of 10 to 15 cm
- Very weak budding
- Growth width of up to 100 cm possible
- Dark green and shiny leaves, grow densely branched
Novita
- Can grow over 5 m tall
- Grows 50 to 70 cm per year
- Extremely strong buds
- Growth width is up to 2 m
- Dark green and broad leaves
Otto Luyken
- Broad-growing cherry laurel
- Grows a maximum of 1.20 m in height
- In the early years growth of 10 to 20 cm
- Medium-strong budding
- Growing width of up to 2.50 m
- Medium green leaves, slender and small
Rotundifolia
- Large-leaved cherry laurel
- Can grow over 5 m tall
- Grows about 55 to 65 cm per year in good conditions
- Strong budding
- Growth width of up to 2.00 m
- Wide and round leaves
Accelerating growth
So that the cherry laurel has enough space for good and rapid growth, a sufficient distance from buildings, other plants and paths must be planned when planting the tree. If the plant is stressed too much, its growth will be reduced. If you want to achieve the desired hedge with sufficient privacy height in a timely manner, you should invest in young plants of a considerable size when planting. Although smaller specimens are significantly cheaper, larger young plants achieve the required effect much more quickly. There are also various other measures that can be taken to accelerate the growth of cherry laurels. In order to grow quickly, the trees need the right and regularly used nutrients. When a lack of nutrients occurs, the result is stunted growth and pale green leaves.
- Cut out flowers to support growth of shoots
- Fertilizers improve growth
- Use of long-term fertilizer containing nitrogen is ideal
- Use liquid fertilizer every now and then
- Fertilize more at the beginning of the growing season
- Please pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions regarding quantity and timing
- Increase soil quality for improved growth vigor
- Aerate the soil well to promote root activity
- Loosen the soil every now and then with a cultivator
Tip:
Although the cherry laurel relies on fertilizers to grow, their use should not be excessive. Too much nitrogen makes hedge plants more susceptible to disease and frosty temperatures.
Cutting
Due to the lush growth, the small cherry laurels become an attractive hedge in just a few years. Since the leaves and shoots of the trees grow close together, these outsiders do not provide any insight into the garden. That's why the plant is ideal for creating a hedge as a privacy screen. Since the wood tends to grow extremely extensively depending on the variety, cutting is one of the necessary care measures. In this way, the visual appearance benefits and the hedge looks much neater and tidier. Pruning not only gives the cherry laurel hedge a beautiful shape, it also accelerates growth in the long term. Usually pruning is carried out in both spring and autumn. However, if the cherry laurel grows too wide, it can be pruned back if necessary.
- Perform pruning in March and October
- Make the first cut after planting
- Use only sharp and clean cutting tools
- Disinfect scissors sufficiently beforehand
- Electric hedge trimmers are ideal for easy cutting
- Adjust shape and height to the location
- Prune back wildly growing shoots in between
