Prunus laurocerasus (Laurel)

Laurel

Price £ each (ex. VAT)
Height Age 25+ 100+ 500+
30-40cm 1u1 1.75 1.00 0.90
40-60cm 1u1 2.10 1.20 1.10
60-80cm 1u1 2.45 1.40 1.30


Delivery

Bareroot from November to April

Prices

The prices above are offered as a guide and may be subject to fluctuation dependant upon the time of season and supply. We recommend that contact is made with the office for larger orders, a quotation and to check availability Alternatively please contact us to enquire about opening a wholesale account.

Also known as Cherry Laurel, this is a very fast-growing evergreen shrub with large handsome leaves. It's often planted as a hedge, because its fast growth quickly gives a dense screen to ensure year-round privacy. It has spikes of very sweet smelling flowers in spring, and berries in autumn, which are relished by a range of birds. Planted as a shrub, it tends to layer itself to make a large plant. It can also be trained as a small tree.

Site and soil

Laurel is useful in that it will cope with both dry and damp shade, and even wet situations. It is tolerant of wind, and is often planted as a wind-break.

Height and spread

After 10 years: 5m x 3m
After 20 years: 6m x 5m

Leaf and bark

The leaves are large – to 15cm long – tough and glossy and oblong in shape. When crushed, they give off a sweet scent; they contain prussic acid and are sometimes used in insect killing jars. The bark is smooth and mid-brown.

Flower, seed and fruit

The small white flowers open in April and are carried in spikes 7 – 12cm long. They have a very sweet smell, which is often carried on the air for yards around. The flowers are followed by round red berries which ripen to black in September. The seed within the berry is poisonous.

Uses

Hedges, screens, game cover, shrub, small tree.

Wildlife

Bees, hoverflies, ants and wasps are attracted to the flowers and several species of birds eat the berries. Laurel provides cover for birds and small mammals.

Pruning

Hedges should be pruned in August. Older plants which have become too large can be cut back to ground level in spring; they will regenerate very quickly.