A Grower Perspective

We get a lot of questions from customers about hedge material. What makes a good hedge? How can I block the view of the road and increase privacy in my yard? What hedge is low-maintenance? What hedge is fast-growing for an instant screen?

We grow a wide variety of hedge plants: from small, low hedges that stay a few feet tall to large trees that form a screen at over 60 feet. One common hedge

plant is laurel. We get a lot of calls and questions about laurel. Many people want a laurel hedge, and for good reason: they are easy to grow, form a dense screen and can be clipped into shape. However, there are many species of laurel, and picking the right one is crucial for getting the type of screen that you want)

English Laurel: Grows to 30 feet tall by 30 feet wide. Fast growing. Tolerates sun or shade or any combination and requires little water once established. This a high maintenance plant for a formal hedge because it grows so quickly and so therefore requires frequent shearing. An ideal use for this plant is a tall, large screen allowed to grow unpruned or as a tree.

Dwarf English Laurel: Grows to 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide. Similar characteristics to English laurel but less than half the size- fast growing, adaptable, needs little water.

Schipka (English) Laurel: Grows to 10 feet tall by 10 feet wide. This is an ideal laurel for a hedge on a smaller scale, like in a city lot, for example. We recommend this laurel frequently because it really strikes a good balance for a hedge that most people are looking for. It’s not too large, but tall enough to form an effective screen without blocking too much light.

Otto Luyken (English) Laurel: 3 to 4 feet tall by 5 to 6 feet wide. Beautiful, dark green and glossy leaves. A nice, tidy, small-scale hedge.

Portugal Laurel: Grows to 15 to 20 feet tall and wide. This laurel grows more slowly than English laurel. It will thrive in difficult conditions including full sun, heat, wind and little water. It makes a beautiful, dense screen or background plant.

Do you have any questions about a laurel hedge? Let us know your questions and we will do our best to answer them.