Why Buy Our Hedging Trees?
- Our hedging trees are plug plants which can be planted all year round. No rush to plant as roots are not exposed.
- Grown in the North UK which makes the plants much hardier (used to bad weather and political scandal)
- Very easy to plant, little cultivation required and very high success rate.
- Our trees are covered by a FREE TREE WARRANTY. (first 15% not covered)
- Plants do not "check" when planted so rapid early growth.
- Root plug contains both naturally occurring mycorrhizae and fertilizer.
- Growing containers eliminate root spiralling.
- FREE DELIVERY (UK Mainland only).
Portugal Laurel Hedging (Prunus lusitanica)
A close alternative if out of stock is Cherry Laurel
Portugal Laurel is a good evergreen hedging / topiary choice and is hardy, even more so than its close relative Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). Having received the RHS Award Of Garden Merit, it must be doing something right and is a good choice for making ornamental statements such as Avenue planting or attractive hedging.
The young leaves have a reddish tinge and are held on red stalks which turn into a year long shiny green leaves. Early Summer (around June) and your Portugal Laurel hedge will display insect friendly Hawthorn scented, small cup shaped and fragrant white flowers. These develop into dark purple/red fruits that then turn black (harmful if eaten, bitter to the taste). Portugal Laurel was once planted where game birds fed because it was believed the berries made the meat taste better.
Due to the shape of the leaves, the Portugal Laurel is often mistaken for Bay Laurel and they have cyanide in them that is released if burned or crushed. As we have never heard of Russian spies disposing of political enemies by making them eat a hedge we suspect it is not in extremely high amounts.
English Heritage's Brodsworth Hall in Yorkshire roughly cut their Portugal Laurel trees three times a year in February, July and October to promote new growth and therefore expose more red stems and leaves. For the less enthusiastic and time poor normal people that buy these hedges, a trim in Summer will suffice. Letting them grow un-pruned for 2 years is a good idea.
Good for most soils particularly chalk although windy or exposed positions would yield less than perfect results. We are not sure what would happen if planted in ideal soil conditions but in the window box of a lighthouse, if you are such a person, maybe you could let us know? Portugal Laurel is rarely found in the wild but when it is, it is usually next to mountain streams. Despite the mental image this generates, it is a drought tolerant species.
If left to grow without man made interference over zealous retired people on shaky ladders and high revving chain saws then Portugal Laurel will grow to around 15m with a 12m spread.
Planting 2 per metre for a single row of hedging trees will suffice or 4 per metre for double staggered hedging however you can vary these numbers if you wish.
Prunus Lusitanica Not Flowering Or Bearing Fruit
If your Portugal Laurel hedge is not flowering then it certainly won't bear fruit and if there are frosts during flowering, you won't get fruit either. Planting in the shade and too much water are other culprits for non-flowering and pruning before mid-summer can also inhibit flowering.
See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Portugal Laurel Hedging Trees
Hi Alan , I'm pleased to report that all 34 Portugal laurel shrubs have settled in nicely.I have purchased on line plants before (from various sites) but nothing has compared to the quality that you have delivered,they have been in for 3 months now,and look as healthy as they did when they arrived. Not a single sign of leaf curling or dropping leaves.I estimate that in about 5 years ,I will have the most wonderful hedge,and you might be able to see it from space.I will try to remember to send you a photo,when they are a year old.Unfortunately we are in the middle of Yorkshires monsoon season,so I can't take one today.Many thanks for an excellent service. Malcolm 1019
Hi Alan , 35 Portuguese Laurel planted out and looking fine.I have bought plants on line several times in the past,but have never received plants that were in such a healthy condition. If these plants don't thrive then I will just have to accept that I am cursed. Seriously, fantastic plants,fantastic website,and fantastic communication. I will definitely be a repeat customer in the future,and will recommend your site to anyone that is looking for the best quality and service.It has been a real pleasure to do business with you,many thanks. 0819
Hello, just to let you know Portugal Laurel plants arrived safely. Lovely sturdy plants with strong root system. Many thanks Kind regards Valerie Adamson 0216
All the Yew and Laurel has been of great standard and promptly delivered. Peter Monod. 0415
Dear Alan, My order (Portugal Laurel) has arrived with all that I have asked for and with no problems or faults. I thank you for your prompt and careful service, I shall be recommending your company to all who ask or need. I thank you also, for your light humored and frivolous attitude. Such a rarity and such a good quality. Once all my trees are planted, if I'm able to stand, or even still alive, I will take a picture of my happy self displaying your wonderful product. Yours thankfully, R(Bob) Grieve. 0315
Trees arrived on time in great condition and now fully planted. Many thanks - great choice and excellent service & value. Thanks,Dean 1014
Delivery
Due to courier unpredictability, we advise having your trees delivered AT LEAST 3 days before you actually need them.
Returning Cell Grown Trees
For Phytosanitary reasons, cell-grown trees cannot be returned to the nursery.
Delaying Planting Cell Grown Trees
If you cannot plant straight away, take the trees out of the packaging and stand upright next to each other in a sheltered location outside. November to March, no need to water unless they start to dry out and these would be ok for up to 6 weeks. During Spring and Summer, you can do this for up to 3 weeks.
Site Conditions And Evergreen Tree List
Our tree chart details which site conditions suit which trees and also which are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Feeding Or Fertilizing Hedges
Any nitrogen based fertilizer will do such as 20:20:10 but the longer lasting ones which take 18/24 months are better as they are regulated by the weather and moisture therefore release slowly.
Second line of hedging or staggered row
We recommend planting the second line of trees 25cm or 10 inches away from the first if using the staggered hedging approach. Consider buying 10% more than you need and plant the spares elsewhere so you have immediate replacements for damaged or diseased trees.
Hedge Protection
For all hedging protection please view the Tree Extra section.
You would think that thorny plants would put rabbits off from eating them however this is not the case. They are happy to take the pain regardless of the cost (sounds like rabbits would be suited to marriage)
Hedge Growth Rates
For information on rates of growth please click "Hedge Growth Rates"
Using Bark or wood chip mulch for hedging trees
Mice like to use this as a nest/home/holiday retreat and they eat the bark (especially Beech). Periodically check for damage below the mulch or bark layer. Alternatively use gravel or plastic sheeting as a method of keeping weeds.
Adding Fragrance And Colour To Your Hedge.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is a very popular addition to any garden due to the strong fragrance, splash of colours and interest it generates from other wildlife. Click the link to find out more.
Coastal Planting
Trees suitable for coastal hedging include Aspen, Hawthorn, Holly, Juniper, Rowan, Whitebeam and Willows.
Factors Detrimental To Cell Grown/Young Hedging Trees
Too much/little water, animal Urine, excessive wind exposure (will slow growth), salt spray, frost on new growth, herbicide drift and over application of fertilizer.
Hedge Tree Growing In The UK
We have instructed all our hedging trees that no non-UK holidays are allowed so that we can state they are all UK grown.
Planting In The Corner Of A GardenAir and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy. Multiple Order Discount
Orders over 1000 trees can be discounted by contacting us on 0800 043 1057
