Cherry Laurel vs Portuguese Laurel: Which Laurel Hedge Is Right for You?

Cherry Laurel and Portuguese Laurel are both excellent evergreen hedges, but they create very different effects in the garden. Cherry Laurel is bold, fast growing and dense. Portuguese Laurel is more refined, elegant and controlled.

If you are choosing a Laurel hedge for privacy, both can work well. The right choice depends on how quickly you want screening, how much space you have, and whether you prefer a fuller leafy hedge or a neater formal appearance.

Both options are available as instant hedging, which means you can create privacy and structure much faster than planting small young plants.

Quick Comparison

Cherry Laurel is best for fast, dense evergreen screening. It has large glossy leaves and creates a strong visual barrier, making it ideal for privacy.

Portuguese Laurel is best for a more elegant evergreen hedge. It has smaller, darker green leaves and attractive reddish stems, giving it a more refined appearance.

Choose Cherry Laurel if you want quick impact and bold coverage. Choose Portuguese Laurel if you want evergreen privacy with a neater, more sophisticated finish.

You can browse both options in our Cherry Laurel instant hedges and Portuguese Laurel hedges collections.

Cherry Laurel: Best for Fast, Dense Screening

Cherry Laurel is one of the most popular privacy hedges in the UK. Its large evergreen leaves create dense coverage, making it useful for screening neighbours, roads, fences and overlooked gardens.

It is a strong option where you want fast growth and a full hedge. Once established, Cherry Laurel can grow vigorously, which means it fills gaps quickly and creates a thick screen.

The look is lush and leafy rather than formal. This makes it ideal for larger gardens, boundary planting and spaces where privacy is more important than a clipped architectural finish.

If you want privacy quickly, Cherry Laurel is one of the strongest choices.

Portuguese Laurel: Best for a Refined Evergreen Look

Portuguese Laurel has a more elegant appearance than Cherry Laurel. Its leaves are smaller, darker and neater, and the red stems add subtle colour and interest.

It is still evergreen and still works well for privacy, but the overall look is more controlled. This makes Portuguese Laurel a good choice for front gardens, formal boundaries, driveways and smaller spaces where Cherry Laurel may feel too bulky.

Portuguese Laurel usually grows more moderately than Cherry Laurel, which can make it easier to manage over time.

If you want evergreen screening with a smarter finish, Portuguese Laurel is often the better choice.

Which Grows Faster?

Cherry Laurel usually grows faster than Portuguese Laurel.

This makes it a good option if speed is the main priority. It can put on strong growth once established and is well suited to projects where you want fast screening.

Portuguese Laurel grows more steadily. It may take longer to bulk out from small plants, but instant Portuguese Laurel hedging can provide a more mature result straight away.

If you want the fastest growing Laurel hedge, choose Cherry Laurel. If you want controlled growth and a neater look, choose Portuguese Laurel.

Which Looks Neater?

Portuguese Laurel usually looks neater.

Its smaller leaves, darker colour and finer structure make it easier to style in a more formal way. It can still be dense, but it does not usually feel as heavy or oversized as Cherry Laurel.

Cherry Laurel has bigger leaves and a bolder appearance. This is excellent for privacy, but it can look less refined if it is not trimmed regularly.

For a polished hedge, Portuguese Laurel wins. For a strong leafy screen, Cherry Laurel wins.

Which Is Better for Privacy?

Both are excellent for privacy.

Cherry Laurel gives faster and denser coverage, especially when height and thickness are needed quickly. It is ideal for blocking views and creating a strong evergreen barrier.

Portuguese Laurel also provides good privacy, but with a more elegant finish. It is often better where the hedge will be seen close up, such as around patios, driveways or front gardens.

If you need maximum screening quickly, choose Cherry Laurel. If you want privacy with a refined look, choose Portuguese Laurel.

Which Needs Less Maintenance?

Portuguese Laurel can be easier to keep neat because it grows more moderately.

Cherry Laurel grows faster, which means it may need more regular trimming to stay tidy. This is not necessarily a problem, but it should be considered before planting, especially in smaller gardens.

Both hedges benefit from trimming to encourage density and shape. Both also need regular watering during the first season after planting.

For planting support, visit our hedge planting essentials and accessories collection.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Cherry Laurel if you want fast growth, dense evergreen screening and strong privacy for a larger boundary.

Choose Portuguese Laurel if you want evergreen structure, a neater appearance and a more refined hedge for a garden, driveway or formal space.

Both are excellent choices, but they suit different styles of garden.

If you are still comparing options, visit our evergreen hedges for year round privacy and fast growing hedging plants collections.