Laurel Hedge Advice

Erm yeah that’s hard to pick one

Erm yeah that’s hard to pick one

Erm yeah that’s hard to pick one

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I’m the least bit green fingered. Fake it or tarmac it. Anyway wifey wants some hedge and it was recommended to use Laurel Hedge. I’ve dug out where it’s going to run. I read something to make it look thick, dense and quick to space them about 2.6ft. The run is 13ft so 6 fit. Then I read something else saying every 1ft.

Attached is a photo of the spot. I was just gonna stick them half way across width but just unsure how on spacing.

Dig hole, some gravel to help drain, compost in and pack then back fill the top with compost.

Any advice.

 
Laurals grow really big and whilst you can cut them back hard, that space looks too small.

How tall do you want the hedge to get?

Id go for box or hawthorn? Or for something a bit looser looking how about a row of lavenders?
 
Don't be that neighbour that plants highly vigorous vegetation against a boundary line UNLESS you are extremely disciplined in maintaining it including topping it at a decent height e.g. 4ft max.

So many people plant laurels or leylandii and then just leave them... Before you know it, they are 60ft high and just block everything and the neighbour has no choice but to suffer because of owner being a fud.
 
If it is at the front, there will be a height limit, once laurels get going they grow fast.

Why the need for a hedge, is it privacy or decor?
 
If you really want a hedge, just a simple privet hedge for a space that small. Easy to trim and manage.
Laurels, whilst nice, will grow quick and have far reaching roots. Could potentially cause issues in the future next to that tarmac drive.

IMO, there are better options. Maybe a raised planter or a row of nice planted pots.
 
I spent an age deciding what to use for my front hedge. I wanted evergreen, and slow growing (so I didn't have to cut it every two weeks.), hardy and low maintenance.

I narrowed it down to Red Robin and Euonymus. Ended up with Euonymus (As it was cheaper) I think Red Robin would have looked nicer.

www.hedgesdirect.co.uk

Euonymus Shrubs | Hedges Direct

Euonymus is a genus of flowering plants with over 130 species. Learn more about the species types, how to care for them, and how to trim them at Hedges Direct.
www.hedgesdirect.co.uk www.hedgesdirect.co.uk

www.hedgesdirect.co.uk

Photinia Red Robin Hedge

Photinia ‘Red Robin' (Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin') is a stunning evergreen hedge that boasts red, glossy leaves in the spring and summer, before maturing to lush dark green foliage.
www.hedgesdirect.co.uk www.hedgesdirect.co.uk
 
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Have to agree with the Laurel hedge - Next door has one along the bottom of his garden and missed trimming it one year. He had to get the local gippo gardener in - it was a big job and he made a very good job of it. Never seen a chain saw blade that long before.

Speaking from experience make sure what every you buy doesn't send out runners- I pulled my new hedge out on the second year.
 
get a Pyracantha :D Birds love them. (probably the best thing you can plant for attracting birds)
Big spikes though :D people hate them.
Should stay ever green in winter.
Needs trimming once or twice a year

Can be trained into a specific shape, technically could be trained into a fence the same way people espalier them, although you would need some posts and wires for them to run across (easy to do you can get concrete you don't need to mix)
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As said people hate them.... because of the spikes, will get out of control is not maintained twice a year.
whatever you plant add some slow release fertiliser like osmocote
 
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if you're set on laurel go with portuguese laurel. it's slower growing and much less likely to get out of control than 'normal' laurel
 
I have a row of Portuguese laurel, they grow pretty fast tbh. They will easily put on 2ft a year. I just think laurel is wrong plant for that spot, you dont want something which grows like that. The birds, blackbirds in particular really like the berries though if you have a spot where you can let the tree grow properly and it fruits well.
 
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