How to Prune a Portuguese Laurel Hedge

By Paul Watmore, Director at Grasslands Nursery

Prune a Portuguese laurel hedge once or twice a year, with the main cut in summer — and because its leaves are smaller than cherry laurel's, you can use shears or a trimmer for a tidier finish. Hardy, refined and evergreen, it responds well to hard renovation in spring.

When to prune Portuguese laurel

Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is slower and more compact than cherry laurel, so it needs only one or two cuts a year. The main trim is best in summer, after the small white flowers if you want to enjoy them. Leave the main cut until after nesting.

Shears or a trimmer?

Unlike cherry laurel’s big leaves, Portuguese laurel has smaller, neater leaves, so a hedge trimmer or shears give a much tidier finish without obvious leaf damage — making it easier to keep crisp.

How to prune a Portuguese laurel hedge

1. Set a string line for a level top.
2. Keep a batter, wider at the base.
3. Cut back the season’s growth to shape.

Renovating an overgrown hedge

Portuguese laurel tolerates hard renovation. Cut back into old wood in spring and it will reshoot; reduce a tall hedge over a couple of years and feed and water well.

Portuguese vs cherry laurel

Portuguese laurel is more refined, slower and hardier, with smaller glossy leaves on red stalks — a smarter, more formal look. Cherry laurel is faster and lusher with bigger leaves. Both make excellent evergreen screens.

Browse our Portuguese laurel hedging and cherry laurel.

FAQs

When should I prune a Portuguese laurel hedge?
Once or twice a year, with the main cut in summer (after the white flowers if you want to enjoy them) and after nesting.

Can you use a hedge trimmer on Portuguese laurel?
Yes — its leaves are smaller than cherry laurel, so a trimmer or shears give a tidy finish without obvious leaf damage.

Can you cut Portuguese laurel back hard?
Yes, it tolerates hard renovation into old wood in spring and reshoots well; reduce a tall hedge over a couple of years.

Portuguese laurel or cherry laurel?
Portuguese laurel is more refined, slower, hardier and smaller-leaved; cherry laurel is faster and lusher with larger leaves. Both make fine evergreen hedges.

About the author: Paul Watmore is a director at Grasslands Nursery, a family-run plant nursery near Knutsford, Cheshire, growing hedging, pleached trees and specimen plants since 1984. Meet the team →