
English laurel is a popular evergreen shrub that's often used for hedges and topiaries. It's a great choice for gardeners of all levels, but it's essential to know its size and varieties to ensure you're getting the right plant for your space.
English laurel typically grows between 6 and 15 feet tall, with a spread of around 6 to 10 feet. This makes it a versatile option for hedges, borders, and even container gardens.
Some popular varieties of English laurel include 'Otto Luyken' and 'Maryland Dwarf', which are both compact and slow-growing. These varieties are perfect for smaller gardens or for those who want a more manageable hedge.
English laurel is known for its glossy leaves and fragrant flowers, which are a favorite of bees and butterflies.
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English Laurel Varieties
English laurel is a versatile shrub with several varieties that differ in growth habits, foliage, and flowering.
The 'Rotundifolia' variety is a popular choice for hedging due to its compact growth and dense foliage.
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It can grow up to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide, making it an excellent option for small gardens.
The 'Angustifolia' variety, on the other hand, is known for its slender leaves and upright growth habit.
It can grow up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it a great choice for topiaries or formal hedges.
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Dwarf Laurel
Dwarf Laurel is a fantastic option for those who want a compact, low-maintenance evergreen shrub. It's a compact dense evergreen shrub with white flowers in the spring.
The Dwarf Laurel, specifically 'Nana', has attractive dark green leaves that add to its charm. It's also deer resistant, making it a great choice for those who live in areas with deer populations.
You can expect the Dwarf Laurel to grow to be around 6-8 feet tall, with a mature width of 8-10 feet. It's a spreading habit, making it perfect for mass plantings or hedges/screening.
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One thing to note is that the plant height is measured from the top of the root ball to the top of the plant, so you won't need to add extra height for the container.
If you're looking for a plant that's hardy in zones 7-9, the Dwarf Laurel is a great choice. It's also relatively easy to care for, with low maintenance requirements.
Here are some key facts about the Dwarf Laurel:
Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a beautiful and versatile evergreen tree. It grows 10 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 8 to 10 feet.
The leaves of Laurel are thick, leathery, and dark green, measuring 2 to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide with wavy margins. They have a pleasant scent when crushed, reminiscent of almonds.
Laurel trees prefer full sun to light shade and fertile, well-drained soil. They can be used as topiary, hedge, or screen, making them a great addition to any landscape.
Bay leaves can be harvested and dried throughout the year, making them a useful addition to your kitchen. This ancient and famous plant has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal properties.
Here are some key characteristics of Laurel trees:
Laurel trees are susceptible to white wax scale, which makes the leaves sooty and retards leaf growth. With proper care, however, they can thrive in a variety of conditions.
Prunus Laurocerasus Varieties
Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia' is a bushier and more upright growing form of Common (aka Cherry) Laurel than the species.
This variety is quick-growing, putting on about 60cm (2ft) a year under good growing conditions.
It will grow to 5-6m (15-18ft) tall if left untrimmed but can be pruned to any height to form a dense, evergreen hedge.
'Nana' is a compact dense evergreen shrub with white flowers in the spring.
It also has attractive dark green leaves and grows to a mature height of 6-8' and a mature width of 8-10'.
Here are some key characteristics of Prunus laurocerasus varieties:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space do laurels need?
Laurels require 2-3 feet of space between each plant for optimal growth. Planting 2 feet apart creates a quick screen, while 3 feet apart yields a denser hedge over time.
Does English laurel grow fast?
Yes, English laurel grows quickly, increasing by 1-2 feet per year in ideal conditions. Its fast growth rate makes it a popular choice for hedges and screens.
Can you keep English laurel small?
English laurel can be kept small with regular hard pruning, as it will regrow new foliage. However, it's worth noting that it naturally wants to grow into a tree, so maintenance may be more frequent.
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