Portuguese Laurel Root Ball Hedging Pre-Orders Now Open

Premium Evergreen Hedging – Available October to March

Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) is one of the UK's most elegant evergreen hedging plants, admired for its glossy dark green foliage, attractive burgundy-red stems and naturally dense growth. Offering a more refined appearance than Cherry Laurel, it creates a beautiful year-round hedge that's equally suited to traditional and contemporary gardens.

Our root ball Portuguese Laurel is field-grown for several years before being carefully lifted during the dormant season with an intact ball of soil surrounding the roots. This allows you to purchase mature, well-established plants at a significantly lower cost than equivalent container-grown specimens.

Available exclusively between October and March, root ball Portuguese Laurel is one of the most cost-effective ways to create an instant evergreen hedge.

Why Pre-Order Your Portuguese Laurel?

Root ball Portuguese Laurel is lifted fresh from the field each autumn, with the best plants available from the very first lifting of the season.

By pre-ordering now, you'll benefit from:

• ✔ Priority access to freshly lifted field-grown plants
• ✔ The widest choice of sizes and grades
• ✔ Guaranteed availability before peak season
• ✔ Exclusive pre-order offers available before lifting begins

Larger specimens are grown in limited quantities and are often reserved well before the season is underway.

Why Choose Root Ball Portuguese Laurel?

Field-grown Portuguese Laurel develops naturally over several years, producing a strong fibrous root system and a dense branching structure before being lifted.

Root ball plants offer exceptional value, allowing you to establish an instant hedge with larger plants than would normally be affordable when buying container-grown stock.

Benefits include:

• Larger plants for less money
• Freshly lifted field-grown stock
• Strong, well-developed root systems
• Excellent establishment when planted correctly
• Immediate screening and year-round privacy
• Ideal for both formal and informal gardens

With the correct planting and aftercare, Portuguese Laurel establishes quickly and develops into a dense, long-lasting evergreen hedge.

Why Choose Portuguese Laurel?

Portuguese Laurel has become one of Britain's most desirable evergreen hedging plants thanks to its combination of elegance, toughness and year-round interest.

It offers:

• Evergreen foliage throughout the year
• Rich glossy dark green leaves
• Attractive burgundy-red stems
• Naturally dense, bushy growth
• Excellent privacy and screening
• Beautiful scented white flowers in late spring
• Black berries in autumn for wildlife
• Easy maintenance
• Excellent hardiness

Its smaller leaves and refined habit make it a popular alternative to Cherry Laurel where a more formal or ornamental appearance is preferred.

Planting Root Ball Portuguese Laurel

Root ball plants should always be planted as soon as possible after delivery.

1. Prepare the Ground

Dig a planting trench or individual holes wider than the rootball and loosen the surrounding soil to encourage new root growth.

2. Position the Plant

Place each rootball so the top sits level with the surrounding soil surface. Avoid planting too deeply, as this can slow establishment.

3. Leave the Hessian On

Do not remove the hessian or wire basket. These materials are designed to keep the rootball intact during planting and naturally break down over time, allowing new roots to grow through.

4. Backfill

Refill with the excavated soil, firm gently around the rootball and water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

Soil and Position

Portuguese Laurel is highly adaptable and performs well in a wide range of garden conditions.

Suitable for:

• Clay soils
• Loam
• Chalk
• Most free-draining soils

It thrives in:

• Full sun
• Partial shade
• Sheltered locations
• Exposed gardens once established

Avoid planting in permanently waterlogged ground.

Aftercare

Good aftercare during the first growing season is essential for successful establishment.

We recommend:

• Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
• Continue deep watering throughout the first spring and summer, particularly during dry weather.
• Water slowly so moisture penetrates the entire rootball.
• Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Keep grass and weeds clear from around the base of each plant.
• Stake larger specimens where necessary to prevent wind rock.

The first growing season is when the plants establish their new root systems, so consistent watering during dry spells is the most important aspect of aftercare.

Pruning Portuguese Laurel

Portuguese Laurel responds extremely well to pruning and forms a dense hedge with regular trimming.

For best results:

• Trim once or twice each year.
• Carry out the main trim during late spring or late summer.
• Light annual pruning encourages bushier growth and a denser hedge.
• Remove any damaged or crossing branches as required.

Portuguese Laurel Root Ball Hedging FAQs

When is root ball Portuguese Laurel available?

Root ball Portuguese Laurel is available between October and March, while the plants remain dormant.

Should I remove the hessian?

No. Leave both the hessian and any wire basket intact. They naturally decompose after planting while helping to keep the rootball together during establishment.

Can Portuguese Laurel be planted in winter?

Yes. Winter is the ideal planting season provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.

How much watering will it need?

Water thoroughly immediately after planting and continue to water deeply throughout the first growing season. During warm, dry weather, two or three deep soakings each week are far more effective than little and often.

Is root ball Portuguese Laurel guaranteed?

Root ball plants are freshly lifted from the field and depend on correct planting, suitable soil conditions and good aftercare for successful establishment. Because these factors are outside our control, root ball hedging is supplied without guarantee.

Portuguese Laurel Root Ball Hedging 

Portuguese Laurel is one of the finest evergreen hedging plants for creating a dense, elegant and long-lasting screen. Pre-order now to secure the freshest field-grown stock, enjoy the widest choice of sizes and ensure priority availability when lifting begins in October.

Whether you're planting a formal boundary, creating year-round privacy or transforming your garden with an established evergreen hedge, our premium Portuguese Laurel rootballs offer exceptional value, outstanding quality and beautiful results for years to come.