Which locations are suitable?
Cherry laurel prefers sunny or partially shaded locations. However, in winters with no snowfall, this preference can be dangerous. Cold easterly winds and bright sunshine can dry out the leaves and the plant cannot absorb fresh water due to the frozen soil. A somewhat sheltered location is therefore ideal. Laurel hedges can also run under trees, as the wood is one of the most competitive deep-roots.
also read
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- The cherry laurel is a shade-loving garden beauty
- Creeping cherry laurel, a nice alternative to ground cover
When is the right time to plant cherry laurel?
If you receive container goods from specialist gardeners, you can create the hedge throughout the growing season. The best time to plant, however, is autumn, as the shrub does not produce any new shoots at this point and all of its strength is invested in root growth. It then grows particularly well and quickly. Alternatively, you can plant the laurel cherry in spring.
Which substrate does the cherry laurel prefer?
The evergreen shrub is sensitive to waterlogging. He also does not like wet locations in extremely acidic soil.
On the other hand, the following are ideal:
- A humus and nutrient rich substrate.
- The cherry laurel also thrives on dry, sandy soils.
- Slightly acidic and alkaline soil is well tolerated.
- The drier the surface, the harder the cherry laurel is.
- Loosen compacted and loamy soils with sand.
- Avoid waterlogging at all costs (drainage).
Which plant spacing must be observed?
The distance at which you plant the individual plants depends on the variety. As a rule of thumb, three plants per meter apply. Due to the strong growth of the cherry laurel, you will receive a dense privacy screen after just two years.
Due to this very dense planting, however, there is a risk that the roots of the bushes will later interfere and the laurel cherry will begin to take care of them. It is better to be patient and only plant one cherry laurel per meter.
Distance to buildings and fences
Since most types of cherry laurel grow very quickly, you have to keep enough distance from house walls and fences. Use the wood so that you can reach it from all sides and cut it back when fully grown. The optimal planting distance is half the diameter given in the description of the variety plus at least half a meter.
How is the cherry laurel planted?
In garden shops you can mainly get cherry laurel in a container, which is very easy to set. The somewhat cheaper bale goods are usually only offered in autumn. It is a bit more delicate and you need to plant it properly right after purchase or delivery.
When planting, do the following:
- Dig the planting hole. This should be significantly larger than the plant container.
- In the case of bales, the roots must be spread out in the planting hole.
- To avoid waterlogging, you can introduce a drainage layer of sand.
- Enrich the excavated topsoil with compost, manure or horn shavings (€ 6.39 at Amazon *).
- Insert the bales so that the cherry laurel sits exactly as deep as it does in the container.
- Fill the planting hole with the excavated soil and make sure that the cherry laurel is vertical.
- Only then step firmly on the earth.
- Top up with more soil if necessary.
- Water abundantly (sponge).
In the first few weeks after planting, the cherry laurel should always be watered when the top layer of soil has dried off. The shrub needs a lot of moisture for the roots to grow well.
Can cherry laurel be propagated yourself?
Although the cherry laurel can be propagated by seeds, this is very expensive. The seeds germinate quite slowly and the small plants need a long time to develop into strong shrubs. You can propagate cherry laurel more easily and quickly using sinkers or cuttings. In this way, you get robust young plants and a dense hedge relatively quickly.
Does the cherry laurel tolerate transplanting
If you are planning a new garden design, it is sometimes necessary to move one or more bay cherries. If possible, move the trees in autumn, as the cherry laurel takes root particularly well. Alternatively, the cherry laurel can move to another location in spring. Cut the shrub back a little before transplanting; this makes it easier to transport and reduces evaporation through the leaves. Proceed in the same way as when planting a newly purchased cherry laurel.
Good and bad neighbors
Cherry laurel goes well with plants that love partial shade. These include azaleas and rhododendrons, many conifers and ferns. The dark, glossy foliage of the laurel cherry brings out the flowers of lilies of the valley and lilies beautifully.
Tips & Tricks
Cherry laurel doesn't just look attractive as a hedge plant. The pretty shrub with glossy dark green foliage is also a feast for the eyes when planted on its own. Some species even thrive in the tub and transform the balcony or terrace into a green oasis.
