Common Laurel Bare Root Hedge 60-90cm (Prunus laurocerasus)

Common Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia') 60-90cm bare root plants provide a fast-growing, evergreen solution for privacy hedges, screening, or boundary planting. Prized for its resilience in UK gardens, it adapts well to clay, chalk, or poor soils, with annual growth rates of 30-60cm under average conditions.

Key Specifications

• Plant Type: Evergreen, bare root shrub
• Height Supplied: 60–90cm
• Ultimate Height: Over 6m unmanaged
• Rate of Growth: 30–60cm per year
• Foliage: Glossy, broad, dark green leaves
• Flowers: White, spring
• Position: Full sun or partial shade
• Soil: Tolerates most soil types, including clay and chalk; moist, well-draining preferred

Care & Maintenance

• Responds well to regular pruning—trim annually after flowering
• Water during dry periods in the first growing season
• Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

FAQ

• Is Common Laurel suitable for fast privacy hedge? Yes, with growth up to 60cm per year, it offers quick dense cover.
• How does it compare to Portuguese Laurel? Common Laurel grows faster and tolerates tougher soils; Portuguese Laurel has more compact foliage.
• Will bare root Common Laurel thrive in clay or poor soil? Yes, it is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including clay and low-fertility soils.
• What maintenance does it need? Prune annually and water young plants; minimal feeding required.
• How much will a 60/90cm plant grow in year one? Expect up to 30-60cm growth, with earlier establishment in spring planting.

Planting and care

This is a bare-root plant, supplied dormant between November and March. Plant within a few days of arrival for best results, keeping the roots moist and out of direct sun until they go in the ground. Standard spacing is 3 plants per metre, or 5 per metre for a denser, faster screen.

Read our complete bare-root hedging buyer's guide for full instructions on when to plant, how to handle the plants on arrival, planting depth, spacing for different uses, and what to expect in the first season.