Collection: Portuguese Laurel Hedges

Why Choose Portuguese Laurel Hedging?

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is a hardy evergreen hedging plant valued for its attractive foliage, manageable growth and ability to create dense, elegant garden boundaries.

Unlike some larger leaved evergreen hedges, Portuguese Laurel has smaller, pointed leaves and distinctive reddish stems that provide a more refined appearance.

Portuguese Laurel hedges offer several practical benefits:

• Evergreen privacy: Dense foliage helps maintain garden screening and structure throughout the year.
• Attractive appearance: Glossy dark green leaves and reddish stems complement both traditional and modern landscapes.
• Ideal for formal hedging: Responds well to clipping and can be maintained as a neat, structured boundary.
• Adaptable growing conditions: Suitable for many well drained UK garden soils, including clay and chalk.
• Moderate growth: Typically produces around 20 to 40cm of new growth annually in favourable conditions.
• Wildlife value: Flowers can attract pollinators, while berries provide a food source for birds.

Whether you want to screen neighbouring properties, define a driveway or add evergreen structure to your garden, Portuguese Laurel offers an attractive and versatile solution.

Portuguese Laurel Instant Hedge 150cm, 1m Hedgebag

Our Portuguese Laurel Instant Hedge 150cm (5ft) provides an established length of evergreen screening ready for planting.

Grown in Oxfordshire and supplied in a 1m hedgebag, this Prunus lusitanica 'Angustifolia' hedge combines a naturally upright habit with compact, glossy foliage.

The established 150cm height makes it particularly suitable for:

• Creating privacy between neighbouring gardens
• Screening overlooked patios and seating areas
• Defining driveways and property boundaries
• Dividing larger gardens into separate areas
• Establishing formal evergreen hedges

Each section is grown as an established hedge rather than supplied as individual young plants, providing a more immediate and uniform appearance.

For customers comparing different species or heights, explore our complete range of Hedgebag Instant Hedges.

Portuguese Laurel vs Cherry Laurel: What's the Difference?

Portuguese Laurel and Cherry Laurel are both popular evergreen hedges, but they offer different appearances and growth characteristics.

Portuguese Laurel

Portuguese Laurel has relatively small, narrow, dark green leaves and attractive reddish stems. Its naturally upright habit makes it particularly suitable for formal gardens, decorative boundaries and locations where a refined appearance is preferred.

It generally grows more moderately than Cherry Laurel, making it easier to maintain at a controlled height.

Cherry Laurel

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) has larger, broader leaves and typically grows more vigorously in suitable conditions.

It is often chosen for substantial privacy screens and larger boundaries where faster growth and a bold evergreen appearance are desirable.

Choose Portuguese Laurel if you prefer a more elegant, compact hedge that responds well to formal shaping.

Choose Cherry Laurel if you want broader foliage and a generally faster growing screen.

Both can provide excellent evergreen coverage when planted in suitable conditions.

Where Does Portuguese Laurel Grow Best?

Portuguese Laurel is adaptable to a variety of UK growing conditions, making it a useful choice for both residential gardens and landscaping projects.

Sunlight

Portuguese Laurel grows well in full sun or partial shade.

In more shaded locations, growth may be slower and the foliage less dense, so adequate light is important when establishing a privacy hedge.

Soil Conditions

Portuguese Laurel can grow in clay, chalk, loam and sandy soils, provided drainage is adequate.

It generally performs best in reasonably fertile, moist but well drained ground.

Although it tolerates a range of conditions, persistently waterlogged soil can damage the roots and should be avoided.

Exposed Gardens

Established Portuguese Laurel can tolerate moderate exposure and wind, making it suitable for many UK garden boundaries.

However, very exposed coastal locations or severe cold winds may cause leaf damage, particularly on newly planted hedges.

For the best results, choose a planting position suited to the local conditions and provide regular watering during establishment.

How to Plant Portuguese Laurel Instant Hedging

Our established 1m hedgebag sections make it easier to create a continuous boundary without calculating the spacing between individual young shrubs.

For successful planting:

1. Prepare the planting area. Remove weeds and loosen compacted soil along the intended hedge line.
2. Dig a suitable trench. Make it wide enough to accommodate the root system without restricting growth.
3. Position each hedge section. Place the hedge at the correct planting depth, ensuring the top of the root system sits level with the surrounding soil.
4. Align the sections. Position adjoining units to create a consistent boundary.
5. Backfill carefully. Fill around the roots and firm the soil gently.
6. Water thoroughly. Water immediately after planting and continue regularly during establishment.

Autumn and spring are favourable planting times because cooler temperatures and natural rainfall help support root development.

Established instant hedging can also be planted at other times of year when ground and weather conditions are suitable, provided adequate watering is available.

For further guidance, read our Portuguese Laurel Hedge Planting and Care Guide.

How to Care for Portuguese Laurel Hedges

Once established, Portuguese Laurel is relatively straightforward to maintain.

Watering

Keep newly planted hedges adequately watered during their first growing season.

During warm, dry or windy weather, check soil moisture regularly and water thoroughly when required.

Established Portuguese Laurel generally tolerates occasional dry periods, but prolonged drought may affect growth and foliage quality.

Pruning

Portuguese Laurel responds well to pruning and can be maintained as a formal hedge.

One or two trims per year are generally sufficient, depending on the desired shape and growth rate.

Late spring or summer is often suitable for routine trimming, avoiding periods of extreme heat, frost or drought.

Check for active bird nests before cutting.

Growth Rate

Portuguese Laurel typically grows around 20 to 40cm annually once established in favourable conditions.

Regular trimming encourages denser branching and helps maintain a neat, attractive boundary.

Its moderate growth rate makes it particularly suitable for homeowners wanting evergreen privacy without the frequent pruning sometimes required by more vigorous hedging species.

Why Buy Portuguese Laurel Hedges from Impact Hedging?

At Impact Hedging, we specialise in established, UK grown instant hedging that helps homeowners and landscapers create attractive garden boundaries with less waiting time.

Our Portuguese Laurel hedging is grown in Oxfordshire and supplied in convenient 1m hedgebag sections.

When you order from Impact Hedging, you benefit from:

• Established Portuguese Laurel hedging ready for planting
• A 150cm (5ft) evergreen hedge for immediate screening
• Convenient 1m sections for straightforward planning
• Free mainland UK delivery on qualifying orders over £350
• A 12 month plant guarantee, subject to its terms
• Advice and support when selecting your instant hedging

Browse our Instant Hedges or contact our team if you need assistance choosing the right evergreen hedge for your garden.