The cherry laurel can be found in many gardens. Here you can find out everything you need to consider when planting cherry laurel.

Thanks to its location tolerance, there is a place for a cherry laurel in every garden

The cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). Compared to related fruit species such as apples and cherries, the evergreen plant is quite undemanding and quickly forms dense shrubs due to its enormous vigour. Because of these properties, the cherry laurel, with its large leaves and delicate flowers, is a popular hedge plant. But it is also a real eye-catcher as a solitary plant or cut into geometric shapes in a bucket. Planted correctly, high and opaque boundaries to the neighbors are quickly formed, which can easily record 40 cm of growth each year. We have summarized what you should consider when planting cherry laurel in your garden below.

The ideal location for cherry laurels

Cherry laurels are popular hedge plants due to their undemanding nature, especially in terms of location. You are therefore not restricted in the choice of location when pulling your hedge, because the cherry laurel thrives in sunny, partially shaded and shady places. The hedge plant also has no problem with sandy or loamy soil. The chosen place should only offer enough space and be free of waterlogging, after all, a full-grown cherry laurel can grow to be three meters high and wide. If you have less space in the garden, you can fall back on narrow varieties such as 'Caucasica'.

‘Caucasica’ is also suitable for small gardens

In sunny locations you should also provide adequate protection against a sharp winter wind. Otherwise you run the risk of losing your cherry laurel to frost. Due to its competitive root system, you can plant your cherry laurel between trees without any problems. When it comes to the supply of nutrients and water, the deep-rooted plants also assert themselves against plants that are difficult to socialize with.

Planting cherry laurels: Instructions in 12 steps

Have you decided where the bushgrow, simply proceed as follows when planting:

  1. Planting distance: 80 - 100 cm
  2. Loosen the soil widely
  3. Dig planting holes: For container plants, they must be significantly larger than the plant container; in the case of baled goods, the roots must have space to spread out; soak the roots in a water bath for about half an hour beforehand
  4. Lay out a drainage layer of sand, gravel or potsherds on the ground
  5. Mix excavated topsoil with compost, manure or horn shavings
  6. Mix sand into topsoil if too heavy/compacted (due to high clay content)
  7. Place the cherry laurel vertically in the planting hole
  8. Place the root ball so that it sits as deep as in the container
  9. Fill the planting hole - for example with Plantura organic universal soil - and press down the soil well
  10. Water well
  11. Mulching with lawn clippings, bark mulch or wood chips
  12. Water during the growing season as soon as the soil dries out on the surface

The drainage layer counteracts the formation of waterlogging. The drier the substrate, the better the cherry laurel tolerates frost later. You can also plant the plants closer together. Depending on the variety and size of the plants at the time of planting, up to four plants per meter are acceptable. Your hedge will close after just two years. However, problems can arise later when the plants compete for each other's space.

Leave enough space between the plants, otherwise there may be space problems later

You should also keep enough distance to adjacent buildings or fences. Also keep in mind that you will have to prune the cherry laurels later, from all sides. Therefore keep at least half the diameter specified for the variety plus half a meter distance so that your hedge remains easily accessible for you later.

Note: Because cherry laurels grow very densely, they are not good windbreaks. The wind is not slowed down, just swirled around. This creates a decent draft behind the hedge.

When is the best time to plant cherry laurel?

The best time to plant cherry laurel is between the end of August and the beginning of September. Then shoot growth has stopped and the plant can put all its energy into the roots so that your cherry laurel can grow quickly. Autumn planting after purchase is mandatory for balled goods. Container plants can in a pinchcan also be planted in the ground throughout the growing season. However, you should limit yourself to spring between the end of March and the beginning of May. The sun's rays in summer can cause enormous problems for young plants if you don't water them often enough.

The little plants are still very sensitive. Therefore, plant on a frost-free and slightly cloudy day to give the cherry laurels an ideal start

Avoid wet, snowy or frozen ground at all costs. Even in spring you should not plant when the sun is too strong, as the risk of sunburn is particularly high in stressed plants. It is therefore best to choose a slightly cloudy day for planting.

So that your plant also thrives he althily, we have compiled all the relevant points for the correct care of cherry laurels and useful tips for fertilizing the cherry laurels for you here.

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Trees