Portuguese Laurel Hedging (Prunus Lusitanica)

Prunus Lusitanica, commonly known as The Portuguese Laurel, is a sophisticated evergreen hedging plant. It is known for its dense structure and stunning appearance, it has become a favourite among gardeners and landscapers globally. 

What are the different varieties of Portuguese Laurel Hedging? 

Prunus Brenelia - it is remarkably similar to the Angustifolia variety but has larger leaves. The stalks and new stems are a rich burgundy-red colour throughout the year. It grows moderately and very dense into a regular, pyramidal shrub. 

Prunus Lusitanica Angustifolia- has narrow, pointed, deep-green glossy leaves borne on striking, red-coloured stems. This type also has small, fragrant white flowers which blossom in summer. 

Prunus Lusitanica Myrtifolia - This style of Portuguese Laurel has longer and narrower leaves, they grow on maroon/purple stems giving it an interesting appearance and providing a pop of colour all year long. 

Where to site your Portuguese Laurel Hedging:

Portuguese Laurel Hedging thrives in moist, well-drained soils and can even flourish in poor, shallow, chalky soils. Prunus Lusitanica is highly adaptable, tolerating cold and exposed sites, heavy clay soils, and full shade. To maintain their health, a general-purpose feed like chicken pellets or bone meal can be applied twice a year. 

Growth

Portuguese Laurel Hedging can reach heights of up to 8 meters, with an annual growth rate of 30-50cm. This variety grows at a moderate pace, making it easy to prune and maintain without worrying about it becoming unruly. 

To ensure your Portuguese Laurel Hedging remains healthy and vibrant, it's advisable to remove berries and flowers. This helps the plant focus its energy on producing lush, green leaves rather than decorative berries and flowers. But this is completely your choice! 

Can I maintain this type of hedge? 

The Portuguese Laurel Hedging reacts well to being pruned and can be trimmed into a variety of shapes and sizes. This should be done around twice a year. 

As with any type of laurel hedging, it is important to carry out ongoing maintenance and care is essential to ensure your hedge stays healthy and looks its best.