{"product_id":"big-deal-10-x-portuguese-laurel-specimen-trimmed-200-225cm-wired-root-ball-delivery-october-1","title":"Big Deal 20 x Portuguese Laurel Specimen Trimmed 200-225cm Wired Root Ball Delivery October","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePortuguese Laurel (\u003cem\u003ePrunus lusitanica\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e – A Refined, Versatile Evergreen for Hedging, Topiary \u0026amp; Specimen Planting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrunus lusitanica\u003c\/em\u003e, commonly known as \u003cstrong\u003ePortuguese Laurel\u003c\/strong\u003e, is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and dependable evergreen shrubs and small trees available to UK gardeners. Its rich, dark green oval leaves, carried on distinctive crimson-red stalks, give it an air of quiet distinction that sets it apart from coarser, bolder relatives. Whether grown as a precisely clipped formal hedge, a statement topiary shape, a relaxed multi-stemmed specimen, or a handsome small tree, Portuguese Laurel brings a sense of quality and permanence to any planting scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore refined in habit and growth rate than Cherry Laurel, this is a plant that rewards patience and improves steadily with age. In early summer it produces long, graceful racemes of small, creamy-white flowers with a subtle, pleasant fragrance, followed by strings of small oval fruits that ripen from bright red through to deep purple-black — a valuable late-season feast for garden birds. Hardy, long-lived, and tolerant of a wide range of conditions, Portuguese Laurel is equally at home in a contemporary urban garden, a classic country estate, or an exposed coastal plot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eHandsome, deep green foliage carried on striking red stalks — refined and distinctive year-round\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eOutstanding choice for formal hedging, topiary, screening, or multi-stemmed specimen planting\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eFragrant white flower racemes in early summer, followed by wildlife-friendly berries in autumn\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eFully hardy throughout the UK, including exposed, coastal, and northerly locations\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eModerate, manageable growth rate — easier to maintain than faster-growing laurels\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcellent disease resistance and long-term constitution\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePrunus lusitanica\u003c\/em\u003e performs best in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun or partial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e and is notably tolerant of exposed, windy, and coastal situations. It adapts reasonably well to north-facing aspects, though growth may be slightly more open in deeper shade. Its resilience in difficult positions makes it an excellent choice for boundary plantings and sites where other evergreens might struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to a broad range of soil types, including chalk, clay, loam, and sandy soils, provided drainage is \u003cstrong\u003ereasonably good\u003c\/strong\u003e. Portuguese Laurel prefers a moist, fertile growing medium but establishes well in drier conditions once properly settled. Permanently waterlogged or poorly drained ground should be avoided, as this can lead to root problems over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy across all UK regions, including more northerly and exposed locations. Portuguese Laurel shows excellent cold tolerance, comfortably withstanding hard frosts, and generally outperforms many other evergreens in challenging winter conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHabit \u0026amp; Appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves are oval, pointed, and a deep, lustrous dark green — notably smaller and more refined in scale than those of Cherry Laurel. They are borne on striking \u003cstrong\u003ecrimson-red petioles\u003c\/strong\u003e that provide a subtle but attractive colour contrast throughout the year. The foliage is dense and well-held, giving clipped specimens a crisp, precise finish that holds beautifully between cuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers \u0026amp; Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e In \u003cstrong\u003eearly to midsummer\u003c\/strong\u003e, slender, elegant racemes of small creamy-white flowers appear, offering a delicate hawthorn-like fragrance. These give way to chains of small oval fruits that ripen progressively from bright red to deep purple-black through autumn, providing an ornamental display as well as a valuable food source for birds and wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUltimate Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Left unpruned, Portuguese Laurel will develop into a \u003cstrong\u003elarge, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, typically reaching 6–10m in height\u003c\/strong\u003e with a naturally rounded, graceful crown. Growth is moderate — generally \u003cstrong\u003e20–40cm per year\u003c\/strong\u003e — making it considerably easier to manage and maintain at a chosen size than faster-growing alternatives. With regular attention it can be kept as a compact, formal hedge or clipped specimen indefinitely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare \u0026amp; Pruning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water consistently throughout the first growing season to support strong root establishment. Once settled in, Portuguese Laurel is notably drought-tolerant and largely self-sufficient under typical UK rainfall. During prolonged dry periods, newly planted specimens will benefit from supplementary irrigation until fully established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring to encourage healthy, vigorous growth, particularly in poorer or leaner soils. An annual mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base helps retain soil moisture, suppress competing weeds, and steadily improve fertility over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e For formal hedges and shaped specimens, trim \u003cstrong\u003eonce a year in late summer\u003c\/strong\u003e to maintain a clean, defined outline. Where a tighter or more precise finish is required, a light additional pass in late spring — after flowering — will keep growth compact and neat. Portuguese Laurel clips cleanly and holds its form exceptionally well, making it one of the finest choices available for topiary and structured formal hedging. Use sharp secateurs or well-maintained hedging shears for the best results. When grown as a free-standing specimen shrub or small tree, minimal pruning is required — simply remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late spring to keep the structure open and healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grasslands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57415549157702,"sku":"174053","price":3850.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0796\/7948\/8326\/files\/Big-Deal-20-x-Portuguese-Laurel-Specimen-Trimmed-200-225cm-Wired-Root-Ball-Deliv_174053_2026-09-21.jpg?v=1789982996","url":"https:\/\/www.grasslands.co.uk\/products\/big-deal-10-x-portuguese-laurel-specimen-trimmed-200-225cm-wired-root-ball-delivery-october-1","provider":"Grasslands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}